April Fools- Pokemon Namelessshipping Album Fic

Part 6:

A/N: This is relatable for me personally because I get terribly anxious about leaving people alone in my room, even if they're close friends 

Warning: Depiction of a panic attack/meltdown, passing mention of eating disorders

"Now, we see each other plain." - Friends with You, April Fools

The morning went on as usual. Blue had three small teams, one for each level of challenger. Most days, he used his intermediate team that consisted of a Pidgeotto, Raticate, and a Vaporeon. It was a strange team, but he made it work. Before Blue knew it, it was break time. He let out all of the teams and began to groom and feed them. These breaks were long and arguably more grueling than the battles themselves. From cleaning and bandaging up any scratches to washing and brushing fur, Blue always made sure he did it right- despite it taking much longer than letting the gym trainers help him. He finished brushing Raticate and put the supplies away before disappearing into his office at the back of the gym. Blue sighed, "I'm so tired, Eevee." He admitted, unable to stop worrying about Red staying alone in the apartment. He was worried about other things, of course, but this was the easiest way to explain the growing dread in the pit of his stomach. Eevee licked his cheek as he sat down at the desk. Blue bit the inside of his cheek, the growing lump in his throat made him cringe. "I don't know why I'm so upset..." His voice cracked. Eevee curled up in his lap, purring softly. She always did this when he panicked- and while he wasn't actively panicking, it was still soothing. "T-thanks..." Blue felt tears prick in his eyes, and he laid his head down on the desk. He let out a couple shaky sobs, cries muffled by his crumpled up jacket. Eevee gently kneaded at his lap, licking at his pant leg. The door creaked open. Blue froze, and Eevee hopped onto the desk, growling. He wiped his eyes in the jacket and sat up, sighing. Red stood in the doorway with a bag.

"..." Red stood there, quiet as always. Blue was slightly horrified, but he had an excuse. After all, the gym trainers usually waited until these office pity-parties to bug him about training methods and spare potions.

"I was trying to take a nap..." He sniffed. Red sat down across from Blue. He pulled two bowls, covered with tupperware lids that Blue had forgotten he even had out of the bag. Red opened one of the bowls and grabbed a spoon. Blue opened his own bowl, revealing a nice looking soup. Where did Red even find the ingredients in Blue's completely bare pantry to make these kinds of things? Did Red know that Blue rarely ate lunch? "Thanks..." It was a good soup. Unfortunately, Red had caught him at the worst possible time and was looking at him like he was an alien species. Blue pinched his arm under the table, and Eevee, which had hopped down off the desk, nudged his hand away. She licked at his arm. Red finished his soup quickly, he must've been hungry after... cooking? Whatever he had been doing. Not that Blue wasn't hungry, he was starving. He began to carefully sip at the soup.

"...Do you nap often?"

"No.. just when I'm tired." Blue mumbled, shifting awkwardly. Red nudged his foot under the table.

"How are you feeling?" Red murmured, hand reaching out to rest on Blue's arm.

"Fine." Blue didn't dare make eye contact. Part of him wanted to melt into a crying puddle of pity in front of Red, and if he made eye contact, that would surely happen. Red's thumb started making gentle circling motions, brushing against his arm. Eevee hopped back onto his lap and poked her head out onto the table.

"...You can be honest with me..." Red continued to murmur, tone deathly sweet.

"I know." Blue finished the soup, "Thanks for the lunch. How'd you even find the things to make this in my apartment?"

"I went grocery shopping for you."

"Wait- what?"

"I'm going to be living with you for at least a week-"

"You're staying for a week?!"

"I was hoping to stay for the month, but sure. Either way, I need to eat some real food so I bought you some groceries."

"Well, someone's talkative..."

"I need to be. I found a carton of spoiled eggs, a carton of oran berries, a half pint of moomoo milk, two 12 packs of soda, a loaf of bread, and a lifetime supply of protein bars, cheap instant ramen and that macaroni and cheese in your pantry. That was it. We need to talk about that at least."

"I don't eat a ton, and don't have a ton of storage. Plus, that instant ramen and mac'n'cheese is cheaper than dirt and is easier to make than going out to a restaurant."

"Blue, I picked you up this morning, and I've carried heavier backpacks."

"Wow, gonna shame me? I just don't need to eat a ton."

"I'm actively concerned for your health, man."

"Food's not the issue." Blue was being genuine. He just didn't eat much. Not because he disliked eating or had a disorder or anything, he just couldn't bring himself to prepare a meal or go buy a meal from someone else.

"Then what is? There is an issue." Red seemed freaked out, making Blue feel guilty.

"I don't want to talk about it." Blue couldn't help his voice cracking. Eevee went back to laying in his lap and purring softly. He pet her gently. The two sat there for several moments in a painful silence.

"...Sorry..."

"It's fine." Blue frowned.

"How are you doing? Really."

"Red, I'm going to be honest. I'm in the middle of a work day and can't be a part of your debut as an amatuer therapist." Blue gently teased, still feeling a tad uncomfortable.

"Can't the work day end early? We were having a moment."

"You're always having a moment. Now, I'd be quiet before a gym trainer barges in and realizes you can talk." Blue chuckled.

"..pfft.." Red snorted with laughter.