“No.I was thinking about all of Ernest’s worries and lining them up to talk to you guys, and I forgot about the toast,”—Toby shrugged it off—“it was nothing, really.”
“Is there a problem?”Morty, who was back at the counter cutting the dough to roll into balls, wore a frown.“You’ve only just mated.”
“Not with that.Ernest has an ex, as it turns out, it was the guy flying the hot air balloon, though that’s not the issue,” he quickly assured his friends when Niall got a look that said he was pissed off.“He used Ernest for his money and treated him like nothing about him or his life was as important as Pierre’s.He seems to be a little bit of a worrier too.”
Toby sighed and took the coffee from Niall and sipped it.
“So what’s the actual issue?”Niall perched his ass against the counter, meeting Toby’s gaze.
“It’s like he doesn’t believe in his own worth.Like he’ll always have to be the one to compromise.”
“That’s sad,” Morty said, sniffing, eyes all shiny with tears.
“Please don’t cry,” Toby begged.
“Hormones, I can’t help it.I cry at the slightest thing.But it is upsetting not to feel you count.I know what that’s like.”
Niall was there leaning a shoulder against Morty’s.“You always have to us.”
“I did and do.We’ll be that for Ernest.”Morty nodded, a light of conviction in his eyes saying that Ernest would have no say in it.
Toby really loved his friends.“I want to show Ernest he’s wrong.So this weekend I’ll be moving out of the apartment and in with Ernest.”
“Wow, I thought you loved the new apartment.”Niall sounded wary.
“I do.But you know that home isn’t a place, it’s a person.It’s my mate.”Toby believed that wholeheartedly, and when Ernest claimed him last night, it confirmed it to Toby.“My home is where he is.It doesn’t matter if it’s here or there.What is important is that Ernest has a big house he loves, which is where his business is.Those things are important to him.Space is the main thing he loves.He’s an elephant, so I get why.”
“What about your things?The new bed you really wanted?”
“Niall, that mattress isn’t up to…” he coughed, and back was the heat.
“No wonder I couldn’t block out the noise.”Niall was back to chuckling.
“What do you need from us?”Morty questioned.
“Ernest is coming tonight to help me pack up some things.I thought it might be nice if I introduced you all officially.So he can see that my friends are his too.”
Niall scratched at his jaw.“I’m okay with that.”
“Me too, and I’m sure Hector and Kaya would love to meet him.You could come up to ours and I’ll make dinner.”
Toby drained his coffee.“Are you sure?You have Kaya to take care of.”He placed his cup down, considering whether he should have another cup.
“Hector takes her for an afternoon walk in the baby sling.It’s the highlight of his day showing her off to everyone.”Morty wasn’t much better, except Toby would never point that out.
“Great, I accept.I’m going to be spending my nights with him, and he’ll drive me to and from work, so not having to cook tonight would be good.I can start the packing.”
“It feels like the end of an era,” Niall spoke quietly.
Toby went and cupped Niall’s cheeks.“I’m not leaving you guys, that will never happen!And I’ve a feeling it won’t be long before you find your mate.”
“Don’t be wishing that on me when there are so many fish in the pond to hook.”
Toby roared with laughter.“Give over, you want to find your mate as much as I did.”
There was a cheeky grin.“You called it.But I wish they’d hurry because really what’s left in the pond isn’t all that tasty.”
Morty laughed as hard as Toby, which was exactly why Niall had put it that way.“Then you need to sign up for a Bucket List Buddy event.It’s the key, I swear it.”
