Home Alone [Paradise] [Part 1] [PiE/NEETpone #50]


                                            >You are Paradise Skies, anxiety pone extraordinaire, and you’re pretty nervous today.

                                            >Anon just got offered a new part-time job at some local pizza joint, and you’re a little worried as you’re going to be on your own tonight.

                                            >Well, at least until 8 o’clock anyways.. But still! It's a long time!

                                            >Alone? On a Friday night? Pathe-

                                            "Sh-shuddup brain.."

                                            >"Huh? What was that Para?"

                                            >Oh god, you said that out loud.

                                            "I - I.. Thinking a-aloud again.."

                                            >Thank Celestia that your fuzz provides such an excellent cover for your blush.

                                            >With a shrug and a hand around your shoulder to give your hair a little ruffle, Anon just gives you a shrug and a reassuring smile.

                                            >"Hey, I ain’t knockin’ ya’, I tend to get more sense out of myself than anyone else as well, heh. You got the time by the way, Para?"

                                            >Clambering around on the couch, you manage to stand on your hindlegs on the couch with your front legs on the back pillows as you arch over to get a look at the clock on the kitchen wall.

                                            "Mmhm.. Is uh- Ah! Whoops, nearly fell there.. 2:00ish."

                                            >With a sigh and a final swirl of his mug, Anon downs the last of his coffee and gives your hair another mess up before groaning and getting up off of the couch.

                                            >"Welp, I better start getting ready then, this wagey has a cagey to get into."

                                            >As Anon hops up, he heads on over to the kitchen and puts his mug down in the sink with a clunk before slipping into the other room to get changed while you get your butt up off the couch to start washing up.

                                            >Scooting your stool over to the sink, you climb up onto your back legs and start washing Anon’s mug out as you begin (over)thinking to yourself about just how much you've been dreading this all week.

                                            >It’s not like it’s the first time you’ve gone a few hours without Anon around the house, but this is different. It’s a big change to your routine, and to be blunt? Change makes you anxious and not having Anon around makes you even more anxious.

                                            >This whole thing is just shaping up to not be a very fun time as a whole.

                                            >Even though you have a fair few hours through the week where you're apart due to different classes and stuff, you kind of spend all of your spare time together wherever you can, and during those short periods where you are apart, you really miss him.

                                            >It’s odd. You can’t really put your hoof on *exactly* why you feel how you feel about this. Weird.

                                            >Maybe you should talk to him about this sometime..

                                            >Interrupting your thoughts, Anon steps into the kitchen and strikes a pose with a “Waddya think? Reckon I’m dressed to get screamed at by soccermoms because I forgot their kids extra pepperoni?”

                                            >With a little giggle, you roll your eyes a bit “You look fine Anon.”

                                            >“If you say so friendo. I better get my ass on the move though, you wanna have a little walk down there with me to blow the cobwebs off? Can be my escort to make sure I make it there in one piece.”

                                            “O-oh! Sure! I’ll just grab my saddlebags.”

                                            >…


                                            >Heading out of the door, you shrink into yourself a little as you go out into the cold air to face the big world around you.

                                            >Brrr.. It's chilly today!

                                            >You’re still pretty worried about how Anon’s first day is going to go. Even though you’re going to miss him and wish he could stay home with you, you do hope he enjoys his new job.

                                            >The only reason he felt the need to take it on is because he wants to be able to have some spare cash for the pair of you and your living expenses while you’re studying.

                                            >When you suggested doing freelance web-dev stuff, he didn’t seem to think it’d be a good idea for you to do so while studying, considering he knows how easily you can get overwhelmed with stuff as it is, especially when exams are on.

                                            >Even though you know he’s right, you still wish you could do something to help somehow around the house, or just in *any* way to contribute to the house as well. You don’t wanna be a bum. Anon is going to be working hard to provide for you both, and you  want to be able to do the same in your own way.

                                            >As the pair of you approach the pizza joint, you look up at Anon from within the confines of your hoodie. It’s now or never Paradise, you better mention your concerns, or you’ll feel like dookie all day.

                                            “H-hey Anon?”

                                            >“What’s up, champ?”

                                            “With you being at work now, is there anything I can.. Y-y’know.. Do? To help with things?”

                                            >Stopping just outside the place, Anon just kinda shrugs and shakes his head.

                                            >“Awe-man, you don’t need t-“

                                            “N-no, I-I know! I just.. I want to do something. I want to help. Y-you’re gonna’ be at work all day, and I’ll be in the house doing nothing after I finish my thesis. I don’t want you do have to do everything, I don’t wanna be useless..”

                                            >Feeling a bit glum, you kinda feel yourself shrink a little as you slouch into yourself.

                                            >Kneeling down, Anon puts his hand on your shoulder and [spoiler]boops you on the snoot.[/spoiler]

                                            >“Para, you ain't useless, you do all sorts around the house. That sorta thing is just as important as working in this *cough*shithole*cough*.. Fine establishment you see here before us.”

                                            “Y-you sure?”

                                            >“Definitely, without a doubt. You know how bad I am for leaving a trillion coffee mugs everywhere around the house. If it wasn’t for you keeping on top of that sorta’ thing I’d have probably died by now after a mountain of the bloody things falling on me or something. Don't you remember my pyramid of McDonalds coffee cups? Literal life saver, that’s what you are.”

                                            >Feeling yourself smile a little, he just pulls you in for a hug and you embrace him in one too while burying your head into his shoulder.

                                            >“I know this is all very different and all, but trust me, you’ll be alright. If you want to help out somehow, housework would really more than cut it. Coming home and being able to just crash out on the couch without having to do anything would be a God-send.”

                                            "I-I can do that!"

                                            >Getting back to his feet, he gives your hair a little tussle and starts to head into the shop with a wave.

                                            >“I’ll be home before you know it. Promise.”

                                            “O-okay Anon.. I- I.. I’ll see you when you come home..”

                                            >…