Chapter 5: Pinch

Sportacus didn't think he had ever blushed so much in his entire life. In the days afterward, he had resumed being the hero with no difficulty. But every time Robbie Rotten would emerge from his home, Sportacus felt like bounding over, an exuberant puppy, and smothering the man with affection.

He had, in a roundabout way, asked Stephanie if she knew what being in love felt like. She didn't, but tried to explain what she had heard about it, and he listened carefully. Over the course of these few days, he had come to the conclusion he'd been looking for.

He'd fallen in love with Robbie Rotten.

It was disconcerting at first, because it was so new. It wasn't in his nature to worry about things, but he found himself worrying about this. After… that… Robbie hadn't seemed to seek him out, and he didn't seek Robbie out either. They both probably needed to sort it out, Sportacus thought. But, now that he knew for certain, he knew he had to take the first step. He had to put himself out there, and hope for the best.

Robbie Rotten was having a somewhat less positive experience.

After what was admittedly the best sex of his life, even if it was with a virgin, the feelings of guilt kept piling up. But more than that, he found himself sulking in his orange chair, trying to doze off into a nap, when he'd suddenly imagine muscular arms wrapped around him, and warm breath against his skin. He'd immediately startle awake and pace angrily, destroy a few things, rant, rave, and then repeat the process again. And again.

Everything he'd ever worked for. The only goal in his life had been to get Sportacus out of town. That was his only reason for existing. Before the flipping blue elf came swooping into town, he had been useless. Content, but utterly useless and without a direction. He'd resigned himself to the fate of rotting away in this small town a long time ago. The pink girl posed no threat to him, though she had been amusing to mess with. But then she had to go and call Sportacus. And then Robbie had a goal, something to try for, and he tried his hardest, even though it was the total opposite of being lazy. It didn't matter, because he was secretly delighted to have this challenge.

But it would all fall apart if he was in love with the stupid elf. And he couldn't risk that.

"Robbie!"

He cringed and considered ducking behind a wall. But it was too late. The elf had spotted him.

Sportacus came jogging up, coming to a stop in front of the taller man and smiling nervously. "I wanted to talk to you."

Robbie felt his heart clench.

"Alright."

Sportacus glanced around, and once assured of their privacy, looked Robbie in the eyes. Robbie wanted to look away. But he couldn't bring himself to.

"Robbie," Sportacus started. "I've been thinking. And I thought a lot. But… even though it seems kind of odd to say…"

There was a tiny voice in Robbie's mind that was begging the sports elf to stop. Robbie's face remained impassive.

"I've never been in love with anyone before," Sportacus continued. "But…"

Please stop. Please.

"I love you."

Something clenched in his heart. His face grew blank. Sad.

"Is that so?…" he whispered. Sportacus nodded, and reached out hesitantly with one hand to touch Robbie. To get some kind of reassurance.

"Prove it."

Sportacus stopped.

"What?"

"Prove it to me."

"… How?"

"Leave," Robbie said simply, his voice flat. "Leave town."

Sportacus felt panic well up. His eyes got wide.

"W-what? Robbie?…"

"Are you deaf?" Robbie grated, his head lowered and staring at the ground. He could feel emotion clawing at the edges of his control. "Get out of town. That's how you'll prove it to me. That's your devotion. Nothing… nothing else."

Sportacus shuddered, looking at Robbie with disbelief. What started out as a game was something that wasn't fun anymore.

He took a step backwards. And then turned and ran.

Robbie shuddered and slowly continued on his way.

Sportacus climbed into his air ship, and the entrance sealed up, air tight. He felt something tearing at his heart and his eyes filled with tears. He stumbled forward and landed on his knees. He hadn't cried about anything in…

A sob tore through his throat and he wrapped his arms around himself, doubling over and resting his forehead on the floor.

Robbie wanted him to prove himself by doing the last thing he ever wanted to do. He wanted him to prove his love by doing the exact opposite of being close and loving him.

It was too much.

He screamed in misery and frustration, and didn't move from his position for an hour.

Robbie had no appetite. He sat in his orange chair and felt no comfort from its furry texture. He made cake, but it was left sitting out, untouched.

Hurt blue eyes kept flashing across his vision. He hid his face in his hands and shook.

It was all for the best.

Getting Sportacus out of town… now everyone would remember him. He'd be the winner in their little battle, and everyone would know it.

"What kind of game?" Sportacus asked enthusiastically.

It had never been a game. Games didn't matter.

It wasn't a game, and there were no winners.

Robbie curled up in his chair and bawled, utterly alone and with only himself to blame for it.

Hours later, Sportacus had washed his face, and was looking out over Lazy Town one more time. Just once more. It was all he had planned. Nothing else.

But his crystal flashed, and he automatically dropped into the small town and raced to the rescue. He hadn't meant to.

He caught Stephanie as she was just about to take a nasty fall from on top of the playground equipment. He set her on her feet. She smiled up at him, relieved.

"Thanks Sportacus!"

"No problem Stephanie," he replied, though his voice was quieter than normal.

"Sportacus!" Ziggy cried out, and clung to his leg, tugging on the material there insistently. "Sportacus, you have to help! Stingy won't share again! And Trixie hid all my candy!" Ziggy rambled for a good while, and Sportacus watched, his expression unchanging.

They needed him still. He couldn't leave, no matter what. He was being selfish. He couldn't leave.

But he could certainly make himself scarce.

He kneeled down and motioned them both closer.

"I need you both to listen very carefully," he whispered. They nodded. "I'm… playing a game with Robbie right now." He didn't let them ask why or how. "It's very important that he thinks I'm gone. That I'm not around anymore. Can you guys keep this secret for me?" They nodded again, looking confused, but they promised. Not a word, to anyone. He smiled a little sadly at them and retreated back into his air ship.

It would be lonely and boring. But he might have a chance. Just maybe.

AN:

Yes, Robbie is a villain. but you can't blame him that much. He's scared too.

I'm kind of worried I may have put Sportacus too out of character. It's hard to explain.

Ah, the next chapter is the last. What Sportacus plans to do is fairly simple, and you'll hear about it more then. Not much though. Like I said, it's simple.

This chapter title was a bitch to come up with. It came down to this and hickeys. Geh. Damn chapter titles.

I downloaded all of the Latibaer christmas CD. They have some hot songs on there. I find myself loving Icelandic more and more. XD If it was up to me I'd only ever listen to christmas songs in Icelandic. I can't understand more than four words, but it sounds oh-so delicious. Way better than German. And more fun than Japanese. And whoever sings on this CD is DAMN good. I mean like soul-melting good. Is it the accent? Is it just the timbre of his voice? I don't know. But it's hawt.