We'll Be Alright

Ch 7 - Babysitting (1)

        "No!" Pica screeches.
"Honey, I have to for my job," I sigh for the fourth time. I'm going on a business trip for a few days, and my boyfriend is not delighted about it. Not only does he have separation anxiety, but he's been stuck in littlespace for the past few days because of an upcoming anniversary that puts him in an extremely fragile state of mind. With my leaving and his being unable to take care of himself, I'm trying to ask him who he would prefer to have watch him until I get back.

"No don'," He insists grumpily, crossing his arms.
"I'll be back on Sunday, sweetheart," I promise, brushing his hair out of his face. He scoots away.
"Dada leavin'!" He wails. I sigh, rubbing my temples.
"It's just a few days, Pica. Who do you want to come stay with you while I'm gone? You can ask Auggie and Tristan, or Derek, or Iggy."

"Iggy scare me," he grumbles, rubbing his eyes- All this arguing must be wearing him out.
"Why does Iggy scare you, hun?" I almost laugh.
"Tall."
"So not Iggy, then," I confirm. "Do you want Auggie and Tristan to come stay with you?"
"No!" Pica yelps. "Dey gross!"

"How are they gross?" I chuckle.
"Dey kiss so much! Icky!" I damn near cackle at that.
"That just leaves Derek. You've stayed with him before, remember?" Not for as long as three days, but I leave that part out. Pica ponders this for a minute, tapping his chin in mock seriousness.
"No."

"Bud, please," I sigh. "You can't stay here by yourself."
"Den dada stay!"
"I have to go for work!" We've been going around in circles about this for so long, and I'm tired.
"Take me wif you!"
"I can't, lovely," I sigh, running my fingers through his hair, pulling him closer and wrapping my arms around him. He leans into my touch, putting most of his weight on my chest.

"Don' wan' you to leave," he mumbles. I tilt his chin up and kiss all over his face like an eager puppy.
"You can call me every night," I promise. "You just gotta be real good for Derek, okay?" Pica nods slowly and I smile. "Look at you, my big strong boy. So good." He blushes and buries his face into my sternum.

I pull out my phone and dial Derek.
"Hey, whaddup," he says upon answering.
"Is that really how you pick up the phone?" I scoff.
"Yeah, what am I supposed to say?"
"'Hello', maybe?"

"I hate saying 'hello'. It sounds like I've never answered the phone before and don't know what to do next. Hello?"
"Anyway," I start, laughing. "Are you free this weekend?"
"I'm always free. You and the others are my only social life," He replies breezily. "And I'm sick of third-wheeling when Iggy won't hook up with me."
"I have a business trip and I need someone to watch Pica."
"Watch him? Isn't he- oh."
"Yeah. He's sorta stuck in littlespace lately. The anniversary and all that," I explain. Pica told our friends about his past a long time ago, and they handled it really well, providing him with any and all accommodations he needed.

"Yeah, of course. Little Pica loves me." I can practically hear Derek smiling over the phone.
"Big Pica loves you too," I argue. The little in question tugs at my t-shirt and I look down. "You wanna say hi?" When he nods, I put the phone on speaker.
"Dek!" Pica says excitedly, not quite able to pronounce all the syllables in our friend's name.
"Hey, bud!" Derek says brightly. "I'm gonna stay with you for a few days this weekend, is that okay?"
"Yeah!" Pica cheers. I laugh.

"Okay, I gotta get packing. I'll let you know the details and stuff when you come over," I say to Derek.
"Alright!"
"See you."
"Bye!"

I hang up and put my phone on the coffee table.
"Wanna help me pack?" I ask Pica, poking his armpits, drawing out a giggle from the child.
"Otay!"
"C'mon."

A/N

part two coming soon :))
i love derek so much he's such an idiot