The first few days had been normal. Sportacus knew that Robbie needed some time alone now, after what happened at that night. So he gave him space, didn't went to check up on him, knowing the villain would hate that. He never seemed fond when anybody was even near the entrance to his lair behind the billboard.
And the kids had been happy. They were glad Robbie was gone now, since now they could happily play without having to worry that Robbie would come and trick them, scare them, or cause trouble for Sportacus.
oooo
After a few too many days had passed, two or maybe three weeks, Sportacus started to really worry about the villain. He never saw him sneaking around, didn't see any new traps. He didn't even see the villain at night or on rainy days. But the kids still seemed rather happy, no one disturbing their peace anymore. So Sportacus decided not to do anything for now. His crystal would beep if something was the matter right? It always beeped for anyone in trouble after all...
oooo
It was then, one day, that Sportacus saw the children just sitting around and talking, instead of happily playing. It wasn't very unusual per se, but what was were their faces. Cast downwards, worried, sad.
"Hey guys!", the hero greeted them, landing in their circle and standing in his typical hero pose, legs slightly apart, hands as fists on his hips, a smile on his face.
The children greeted him back, but not as enthusiastic as they usually did. It made even Sportacus worry, so he asked what the kids were talking and thinking about.
They told him then, that their days had become... kind of boring. Everyday they could almost always just do the same. Play soccer, basketball, baseball, tag, hide and seek and such games. But after some weeks of that, it really did become boring.
They admitted it, they missed Robbie. His disguises were always fun, even if the villain often scared them with them as well. But remembering the fun they had playing pirates, or the medieval fest with the dragon, even the ghost appearances had been such fun in the end! It made their days more exciting, especially if Robbie took some days to plan and scheme. But now, he didn't do anything anymore, for no apparent reason. They worried for their town's villain.
oo
Sportacus knew how they felt. He too missed Robbie. The villain never really hurt anyone after all, besides maybe causing some bumps or bruises or a few shedded tears. He was more likely to hurt himself than the children, falling into his own traps for example.
So Sportacus promised the children he would go and look for Robbie. They wanted to come with him though, so he needed to persuade them not to. Explaining that if Robbie didn't come out at all, he probably wouldn't like to see even one person -yet alone six. So the kids agreed to stay here, maybe play a little, but Sportacus had to come back to them and tell them what had happened and if Robbie was alright.
Sportacus promised with a smile, before dashing off, jumping and flipping over walls, doing his usual stunts to get around like always. It was already afternoon, surely the villain would be awake by now for Sportacus to visit!
oooo
Arriving at the billboard, he walked behind it, jumping up onto the platform. It looked like usual, so he walked to the pipe with the hatch, knocking on it. He couldn't just jump in after all! Not getting an answer, he knocked again, stronger this time. He was pretty sure that Robbie would hear his knocking, the sound should echo down the pipe after all.
He waited for a few minutes, before thinking about what to do. Should he just go down? It had been at least a month since he had seen the villain, since anyone had seen him! Sportacus worried about the other man's health, if he was eating properly -or at all.
Laying a hand on his crystal, he took a deep breath. Even if it hadn't beeped, he felt like Robbie needed help. So he climbed the short ladder and easily lifted the lid, climbing inside. He never noticed that inside was a ladder too. Standing inside it now, he closed the lid, before letting himself fall and slide down the pipe and into Robbie's lair.
oooo
Landing safely on his own two feet on the ground, Sportacus looked around. The last time he had been here, as child, he hadn't really cared. But now he could see where Robbie really lived, being everyday. He saw the orange tubes up on the platform, or catwalk, with the machine with piano keys at its side. He could see various workbenches with different things scattered across them. Hammers and mallets laying on the ground, some parts too. He saw the cake machine and invention machine, some other inventions and machines standing around.
Then he noticed. The splotch of colour in the mostly dark blue and metallic lair. The round orange carpet, with an orange floor lamp and little coffee table, even a telephone on it. And there stood the big orange fluffy and fuzzy armchair, or recliner? Sportacus couldn't really tell, though what mattered wasn't the chair, but who was on the chair.
oo
Robbie was wearing his pajamas by the looks of it, the pants looking like his usual ones, just not as tight. A loose black shirt and his robes in different dark red/purple tones with white thin stripes dividing the colours. A hat of the same material laid on the ground besides the chair.
The tall and lanky man looked very thin and fragile. He was curled tightly in on himself, hugging an orange pillow close to his chest, head resting on it. He was leaning against the back of his chair with his side, his face facing it as well. Like he knew Sportacus was there and could see him otherwise.
Sportacus looked instantly worried, walking quietly nearer to Robbie. He could hear quiet whimpers coming from him, he was shaking and trembling. It looked like he had a very bad nightmare, his finger dug deep into the pillow, clinging to it. It made the hero concerned, since his crystal hadn't beeped, though Robbie surely was sleeping for a while now. Did it not sense Robbie here in his lair?
Shaking these thoughts out of his mind, Sportacus decided to first look around a little more. Robbie hadn't come outside for so long, Sportacus was worried the man hadn't eaten much. So he wanted to look around, wanting to find out what he could find.
oo
His searching around didn't reveal him much. Sportacus found dirty plates, crumbles of cake and traces of icing on them. He found some cans of some drinks. But everything looked like it had been at least some days since it had been touched. And he did find many thrown away foods, slices of cakes included. Did Robbie eat anything remotely healthy? Had he eaten enough? Sportacus felt troubled himself, now knowing at least a little how Robbie must have felt. Not eating right and not much at all, all by himself down here.
Suddenly, Sportacus heard a thud. He quickly turned around, quickly but quietly going back to Robbie and his chair. He could see that the taller man had fallen out of his chair. He laid on the ground, on his back, still hugging the pillow close to himself. Sportacus could see tears staining his cheeks, but only for a mere moment, before the villain turned onto his side, his back facing the hero.
Robbie curled up once more, clutching the pillow close to himself. All that was left on the chair was a small purple blanket.
oo
"..Robbie?", Sportacus took some steps closer to the man, his voice soft but full of concern. Upon hearing the voice, Robbie instantly turned around, pushing himself up while doing so. The pillow now landing on his lap.
"What are you doing here?", Robbie glared at Sportacus, his eyes shiny with tears. His voice was strained, but dripped venom. He clearly did not want Sportacus to be here.
"I- The kids and I became worried for you", Sportacus replied, trying to stay calm. All he wanted was to scoop Robbie up in his arms and calm him down, apologize and tell him everything was going to be fine. But he knew, this wouldn't be as easy as it was with the kids, when they had nightmares and he comforted them.
"Worried? You and the kids? Don't make me laugh", Robbie scoffed, a short laugh coming from him, showing how ridiculous it was for him. "You don't care. Neither do the brats".
"We do care!", Sportacus defended himself and the children. He had seen the worry and concern in their faces! He carefully took a step closer to Robbie, who was getting up to his feet. Looking at the tall man made Sportacus frown with concern. He looked so pale and sick. So thin and fragile, like he could break apart if not touched with silk-gloves.
"Oh do you? Only after weeks of me rotting away you became concerned enough to come. Leave me alone", Robbie had a stern face, eyes glaring. But Sportacus could see the pain behind them. How lonely Robbie was, how he needed someone for him to care for.
It made Sportacus remember that night. Where Robbie confessed everything to him. And it hurt Sportacus, pulled at his heart from all sides.
It was his fault. That Robbie was like this now. That Robbie had starved himself, had locked himself away. He could bet that he also was the reason for Robbie's nightmares.
"I'm sorry Robbie, I-" "Don't.", Robbie interrupted Sportacus, for the first time taking his eyes off the elf. His tone was so cold. So hurt. It send a shiver down Sportacus' back.
"Don't try to lie to me. Make everything "good" and "happy" again. It's all your fault and now you have to live with it", Robbie's voice was calm, but firm. He didn't want Sportacus here. He didn't want his pity. Didn't want fot him to "help" him, just because Sportacus felt like he needed to.
"But I want to help!", Sportacus was desperate, taking another step towards Robbie. He was almost n front of him. "I care about you, Robbie! Please!".
"Shut up!", Robbie yelled at Sportacus, never before having raised his voice like this. His gaze snapped back towards the smaller man, his eyes full of hate. "You are nothing but trouble for me. Destroying my peace and quiet, insisting that everyone should eat like you do, do sports like you do, live like you do. Not caring that other people have other needs. And when a- when a lonely and broken man comes to you, trusts you with his heart and feelings, you throw it on the ground and stomp on it!". It was clear in his voice, how much Robbie despised the hero. What he had done to him. And all that Sportacus was do was listen.
"Just leave. I don't want to see you or anyone else. Ever again", Robbie crossed his arms, looking away again. He really believed that it was for the best. They would forget about him, like they always did. They would go on with their lifes, could spend all their days happily playing.
oo
Sportacus didn't know what to do. He hadn't expected Robbie to... to be like this. To put all his pain into anger. He would never have thought that Robbie wouldn't want to see anyone ever again.
Sportacus became scared. What would Robbie do? He could only imagine, and everything that came to mind were things he never wanted for anyone to happen.
So he did the only thing he could think of. He stepped forward and wrapped Robbie into a hug. Tight enough to keep him there, but soft enough to not hurt the taller man. How he could easily wrap his arms around Robbie was concerning, but not the main problem right now.
"Don't touch me!", Robbie protested, trying to free himself of the strong arms holding him. "Leave me alone! Go away!", his struggling was futile, Sportacus wouldn't let him go. But Robbie didn't stop trying.
"I don't- I don't need your comfort! Your help! I don't want it! Go- G-go away!", his struggling became less, until it finally stopped. He succumbed to the firm hug, the head leaning against his chest, the even breathing.
"Just leave me alone...", Robbie muttered, his voice quiet again. He didn't want to look at Sportacus. Didn't want to feel his warmth, or how he gently shook his head.
"I'm staying", Sportacus said, determined. He wanted to help Robbie. Not just because he felt guilty, or because he was the reason for this madness. But because he liked Robbie.