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It's been a week since the incident, and Anon still hasn't come back. I've tried calling and texting him but he hasn't responded and it's making me more worried, the cooking club just hasn't been the same without him.
I've tried to ask Fang about it, but they won't give me an answer. Just brushing it off and ignoring the problem, while still hanging around Trish. She's the one who caused it all to happen too. Spears tried to help me, but with where Anon lives I can't go…
So here I am, sitting on a stool in front of the oven in the club room with some homemade and grown sausage, peppers, and squash roasting together. It's Anon’s favorite dish I can make, with a picture of the food in the oven taken and sent to him to try and get him to at least respond.
The time I've gotten to know him, he's been nothing but nice. A bit shy from talking about himself, but he told me that “just having someone to talk to is enough” so I didn't think much about it. Seeing the so called “presentation” made me finally realize why, and determined me even more to stick with as a friend.
Even though I wish it could be more.
Checking my phone again, it hasn't even been a minute since I sent the message. Time is just slow today, so wanting something to take my mind away for a bit I start to set up the plates and cups while I wait for my phone to buzz. Of course, it doesn't, but I still have hope.
Sighing with the simple task complete, I sit back down, staring off into nothing.
That is, until the door to the room opens up. I'm expecting it to be Naomi again, coming to try and quiz me on the club like she's actively working to disband it, but instead it's…
“Anon…?”
The human barely reacts, just slightly nodding his head down while he continues staring into the floor. Opening his mouth lightly and almost whispering.
“Hey… Sage…”
I immediately rush over to him, worried that he might turn around to leave at any moment.
“Raptor Jesus Anon, I was so worried! When you stopped responding I thought you didn't want to talk to me again!”
“No, I just…” He ends his sentence as quickly as he started it, his eyes looking tired and distant. Finally he starts again, “It's been, a tough week…”
“I'm just so glad you're alright.” I go in for a hug, wrapping my arms as far around him as I can manage but still not being able to get the full distance.
Anon usually laughs and ruffles my hair when I do this, but this time he… Hugs me back. Placing more weight on me, his breathing is stuttering and slow until he gives a silent mutter.
“...smellsgood…”
I can feel my face heat up from the compliment, he's done it before too but I haven't noticed it as well. His quiet murmering that I don't think he realizes he does.
“I did try a new shampoo today.” I try to look up at him, only managing a small peek while continuing. “I'm glad you like it!” His look of exhaustion and isolation melting while we hold each other into one of comfort.
“Oh, uh. Yeah, it uh… yeah.” He's a bit surprised at my response to the words he holds to himself, but doesn't let go of the embrace.
His face contorts into more worry, as he tries to pull slightly away. “I'll just go… you don't deserve to be dragged in to my mess. No one else wants to, but…”
I hold him tighter, he's always been too harsh on himself and overthink everything. But I can't think about that last bit, what'd he mean by ‘no one else’? That's for later. Now is talking him out of leaving.
“Anon, I don't care about that stuff. Who cares what you like? I mean, I do all this cooking stuff, I even have my own YouSnoot channel about it! Stella likes anime too, and she doesn't care. It's not about what other people think right, only what you enjoy!”
By this point my own breathing is slightly muffled by his chest, as he pulled me closer at the end of my sentence. Of course, this gets me a bit excited, he said I might smell good but his scent is driving me crazy.
“...don'tcarewhatotherpeoplethink, huh…” He's mumbling again, but this time once he's done he seems much more grounded.
As quickly as he pulled me closer, he separates us much to my disappointment, but at least he has a smile on his face. I just wish I could see that smile every day, the soft light in his eyes finally overpowered the dark. I can't help myself but smile back and say something.
“Now that's the Anon I know and love!”
Oh poop, I said it out loud. I clamp my snout shut and try to reset with another sentence.
“Uh, haha. You want some Italian skillet squash and sausage? I made your favorite!”
Yeah, great job Sage, you made it awkward. Why'd I have to go and say that last part again.
“Love?” He questions. Now it's my turn to avoid eye contact, slouching down in defeat as my charade is blown down. Oh well, I should just say it now or it'll just drag on like last time…
“Y-yeah, I've liked you for awhile. Pretty much since the first real club day with just us two.”
With my admission and true self on full display, I wait for him to answer in guilty silence.
“You're… not messing with me right?” Yeah, I figured he'd be agai—
Messing with him? What?
“What? No, why would I do that?” I quickly reassure him. Why would he assume that, something must have happened but going into it now would be too much for him.
“Sorry…” he looks much more sad now, “I just kinda, expected it again…”
Again? This poor humans been though way too much, time for some Sage happiness spreading. I press myself into his chest, wrapping my arms around his waist and slowly nuzzle into him. Even without looking I can feel him unwinding, relaxing again into me. He starts mumbling again too, which is more and more endearing each time he does it.
“...shessonice, Idontdeserveher…”
He's being condescending to himself again, but he's missing a key detail here.
“I'm not a girl Anon.”
“Huh? Wait but, I thought?” He's a bit confused at my correction, but doesn't let go of the embrace.
“Yeah, I know I don't really look like it, but I am a guy. Alot of people think I'm ‘too feminine’, but it's not my fault my style and body makes me look so girly!” I pause for a second, Raptor Christ he probably doesn't feel the same way about me now that he knows. “Sorry… I don't even know if you swing this way…”
He presses a hand against my head with another wrapping around my shoulder, moving me closer and closer into him. I can even hear his heartbeat, it's rushing. Why is he?
“If there's one thing I stopped caring about these last three months, it's gender. Or sex. Or whatever the fuck people are calling it now. I liked the time we spent in here, Raptor Jesus knows I'd probably have starved to death if you didn't teach me so many recipes.” His chest rumbles with each word, a feeling I'm very quickly finding out makes me very ‘happy’. I just hope he doesn't notice.
“S-So?” I twist my snout up to face him, hope filling my eyes at his nonspecific agreement.
“I'd like to try, if you do too Sage.”
Joy blooms from my body, as my face breaks out into a wide smile. I break away from Anon, doing my victory hop in celebration, finishing with a spin around one of the stools with those loosened seats that I love.
“Yes! Oh my Gog Anon, I'm so happy!” I shout as I spread my arms and legs out into a star.
His own smile radiates from him, a twinkle of wonder and joy shines in his eyes. Suddenly though, his eyes go wide as he stares at me slack jawed. Quickly composing himself, he stifles a laugh though his hand.
“Y-yeah, snort , I can tell.”
What does he mean? I trace his gaze, looking down myself until I.
Oh. My pants are doing me no favors of obscuring my third leg. But if he wants to laugh and try to make me squirm, I'll make him instead!
“Well, Anon, my new boyfriend. I'll have you know I'm a pitcher, not a catcher.”
Deploying smug face, and it's worked like a charm. He's sputtering and blinking, trying to take it all in, it appears I've won this battle. Not long after, and Anon looks like he's contemplating something.
“Well, I don't mind it, I think I'm kinda into that.”
As he begins kneeling down in front of me, I realize that he's won the war. I'm just glad we'll both be rewarded for it!