Note: This fic is based off of the events that happened in the rp I helped run, Dark Horizons on ezboards, but don't let that stop you from reading. Thanks go out to the other players who helped inspire the original event that led to this fic.

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There.

There she goes...

Todd was crouched on the counter in the kitchen of the boarding house, his face pressed up against the window as he peered through the dirty glass. Even with all the grime that had been allowed to build up on the window, there was no mistaking the flash of red headed away from the house. He'd heard the door slam while trying for the fifth time that afternoon to find something to eat, and checked to see exactly who had left in such an angry huff. Looking back, he should have guessed it was her. His snookums was never all that happy. In fact, he hadn't ever been blessed with the sight of a smile on those perfect lips of hers. The closest he'd ever come was that look of confusion after he'd single-handedly (well, sort of) saved her from Magneto. Of course, even that was before she knew who he was; it had changed awfully fast after she found out. But now as he watched that beautiful smear amongst the filth on the glass move down the street, he could tell immediately that this wasn't the normal rage his scarlet sweetie usually battled with. There hadn't been any yelling at Pietro, no destruction of property, no glaring pointedly at someone else to assure everyone knew how upset she was. She'd just left.

Somethin's really got Wanda down... Heh, maybe this is my chance! Talk ta her while she's hurtin', maybe she'll soften up ta me.

Todd hopped off the counter and over to the door in a few bounds, a smirk stretching across his froggy face. As he opened the door, he paused, his brow furrowing as his mind wrestled with a sudden and unexpected moral dilemma.

I... I couldn't do that, not to Wanda... sure, it'd be nice for her ta like me but... eh, I don't know. Usin' people's weaknesses' more Pietro's thing, an I don't wanna use her.

Sighing, Todd withdrew his hand from the doorknob, looking down at his beaten-up sneakers. Even his shoes were ugly. There was no way Wanda could ever like him, not even a little bit. She was so gorgeous, and he... he was little more than a grease stain on the floor of the boarding house to her; her and just about everyone else in the world, really. He knew that no matter how many times he tried with Wanda, he'd fail and pay for the attempt with some amount of pain, but still... he couldn't quite let go of that last tiny bit of hope he still had. At the very least, he made a good punching bag for her.

Yeah... an she probably needs a good punchin' bag right now! I can do that, yo! I've got the skillz to take her beatings and bounce back better than anyone! Don't worry, my Smoochykins! Todd's on his way!

Kicking the door back open with one foot, Todd hopped out the door and down the street, completely re-energized with his newfound purpose. It didn't matter if he was the arms that held her, the shoulder she cried on, or the ass she kicked, as long as he was there for her in some way.

"Hey, Babycakes! Wait for me!"

The red coat stopped, though the girl wearing it didn't turn around. He stood up straight, or as straight as he ever stood, just behind her, smiling as best he could. She sighed, slowly turning around to face him.

"What is it?"

Todd nearly froze as he saw the look on her face. She was trying her best to look pissed off, but the expression simply didn't have the feeling or the violence behind it that she usually had. She looked more... helpless, somehow. Defeated. He noted that her jaw was clenched and her lips pressed tightly together when she wasn't speaking, as if trying to keep them from giving away to much. Most of all, he noticed her eyes... Her eyes, that usually bore through a man and made him fear for the well being of his genitalia now looked wider than normal, more reflective where it met her lower lid. She wasn't angry at all, she was just sad. Even with the empty sort of threat she tried to inject into her posture, the sight of Wanda like this nearly broke Todd's heart. It was a moment before he remembered that she'd asked him a question.

"I... I was, uh, just wonderin' what my Honeypie was up to is all! Ya goin' shoppin'? Need an extra pair of hands ta help you carry all the bags? I'll be your loyal servant for the day! Your wish is my command! I am at your service!"

He bowed, looking up at her after a moment to waggle his eyebrows suggestively after his last line. Perhaps she'd find the innuendo tempting, or his humor inviting, or at least find it reason enough to vent those emotions of hers in the form of a hex to his head. His body tensed instinctively, guessing that the latter was the most probable outcome... but nothing happened.

Wanda had been hoping to escape the house without anyone noticing. She had no problem expressing her anger with the rest of the guys around, but any other emotion just made her feel weak. She'd planned to take a walk until she could stuff all her hurt and confusion back down inside her where it belonged, but of course Toad had to follow her. With all his flaws and annoying characteristics, he was loyal, she had to give him that. But this was the worst possible time to be so loyal. Drawing her hands back, blue energy crackled at her fingertips, ready to fire at the slimy little slacker, until she saw him tense up.

He was expecting me to hurt him? Do I really come off that scary? That violent? Wait, of course I do! I've got every right to be angry at Pietro and Father after... after what happened? Oh, why can't I remember? I know something must have happened, I clearly remember wanting them both dead for some reason... Oh, why does Toad have to go and look so pathetic like that?

Todd slowly opened his eyes again, having shut them in preparation for the assault that had never come. Wanda was still standing in front of him, but her hands were by her sides and she was looking at the ground. This time she wasn't even trying to hide her confusion. As she lifted her head, however, he noticed something else in her expression, something much more familiar to him.

Pity.

Oh... no. No no no no no! Why does she have to pity me? Of all people! Can't she just blast me like usual? Damnit...

"Nevermind, Toad... Todd... whatever. I just wanted to go for a walk on my own for a bit. I'll catch you back at the house later, ok?"

Not waiting for his answer, she turned and continued walking down the sidewalk.

Todd felt his heart crush. She pitied him. She looked at him like how someone might look at a cute little animal flattened horribly in the middle of the road. But no, just that wasn't enough. She had to go on and call him Todd. No one called him by his real name, not ever. Not even back in the orphanage when he was little. He'd always just been Toad. So... she didn't hate him as much as he'd guessed, but instead pitied him?

Ow... my pride...

He watched her walk down the street, his eyes darting back and forth from her to the house. Should he follow? Should he go back to searching for food? Should he just lie down and die?

"Well... sure thing then, Wanda! But, uh, you owe me a good blast when ya get back, ok snookums?"

Defeated, he turned and headed down the street the opposite way, heading into town. Maybe he'd stop at the comic shop and lift some comics to cheer him up. He could grab one for Wanda too. With each step he shuffled the worn out soles of his shoes against the pavement, watching his feet intently as he went. His Sweetcakes was in pain, and he couldn't do anything about it. Not one damn thing! The gears in his head creaked and groaned as he forced them to turn. No, there had to be something he could do... if only she didn't pity him so much. If only he could prove himself to her, and to the rest of the Brotherhood.

Yeah... if they all respected me more, then maybe Wanda would like me better! I bet she's just embarrassed that a loser like me tries to hang out with her. If I could only pull off one job right... just one job...

Leaning forward, Todd propped himself against a lamppost. His stomach growled loudly, only half from hunger. He was standing in front of the Hamburger Hut, the smell of grease and fried food heavy in the air. One hand fumbled in his pockets, hoping that by some miracle there might actually be some money in there, but of course there wasn't. He looked in through the window in front at everyone else eating their double meat gutbombs and sipping their super extra large shakes, considering whether he should try and steal some food before heading home. A small place like this probably wouldn't be to difficult to rob, especially not at this time of day when there was hardly anyone there...

The proverbial light clicked on in Todd's head. That was it. That was how he could prove himself. With eyes glinting with his plan, he stuck both hands in his pocket and stepped inside the restaurant, whistling innocently as he walked.