Tsubaki and Anon pt. 7

>Get to work, heart still thumping in my throat like a bitch.
>Still freaked out, avoiding as much contact as I can.
>Find who I'm looking for in the breakroom, my boss.
>Middle aged and a outdoors freak would be a good way to describe him.
>"Hey Eric, got a minute?" I asked trying to mask the shakiness of my voice.
>"Yeah sure," He said looking up. "You ok though kid? you're shaking pretty bad."
>"Yeah fine fine...Listen Eric I have a favor to ask. Mind putting me on warehouse duty today? I'd kinda rather not be around people."
>"Yeah sure Anon that's fine."
>"Also if anyone comes looking for me I'm not here."
>Watch as Eric's face scrunched.
>"You're scaring me kid, what's up exactly?"
>Explain what happened earlier trying my best to keep it together.
>"...and that's about it." I gestured, "kinda want to stay out of public areas today if it's alright."
>"Come on kid it didn't sound so bad. Dunno why you didn't just stay for the reward."
>Still shaking and Eric's words didn't help.
>"Eric man, I'm still shaking like a leaf I was not ready to become another one of those missing persons."
>"Alright Anon calm down, I get it. It's fine would rather have you than the dummy working warehouse anyways."
>"Thanks Eric..."
>Get handed a few order forms by Eric and told to get some orders ready for a few jobs going out.
>Throw on my headphones and get to it.
>Keep music low so I can hear if anyone is coming.
>Midway through my shift and still a jumpy, the silence between each song doesn't help.
>Jut as 'Oblivion' from the Stardust Memories OST fades hear footsteps.
>It's Eric coming from another loading bay.
>Eyes start to dart around for any means of an exit or in a worse case scenario something to fight with.
>"Anon what is with that look? you looked tweaked out guy."
>"Eric, what did you yell at me about two days ago?"
>"What are you talking about?"
>"Just humor me here, what did you chew me out for?"
>"You had your headphones blasting music and I told you to turn it down, it's a safety hazard the way you listen to them."
>Drop my guard at Eric's response.
>"Kid are you alright?"
>"After the doppelganger I'm still on edge. Figured I'd ask a personal question to figure out if you weren't just her assuming your form. I mean they can't copy memories just appearance last I checked, right?."
>"Anon it's all well and good kid, but I think this thing has shaken you up. Listen it's lunch, take your lunch and after head home ok?" He said concerned.
>"Eric I can still work..."
>"Not when you're jumping at shadows Anon, get lunch...go home... and relax."
>"Eric, I didn't bring lunch."
>"I didn't either, want me to grab you something from that subshop? You can just pay me back later?"
>"Alright, Large Pastrami with swiss and hot mustard, grab me a lemon tea too if they have any."
>"Got it, just go wait in the breakroom or something and try not to interrogate everyone who comes in."
>Eric heads for the exit while I made tracks for the breakroom.
>Try to relax and kill time by plopping down in a chair and watching one of the shows I've got saved on my PSP.
>By the time I'm starting into The 2nd season of The Clone wars Eric gets back.
>Woof down lunch and go to punch out.
>"Alright Eric, I'm gonna try to get home."
>"You gonna need help?"
>"Nah," I said switching my PSP back into it's music player. "I'm fine...sorta, just wish me luck."
>"See ya tomorrow then Anon."
>Nod, "yeah see ya tomorrow. I hope."
>On edge entire way back home.
>Figure if I'm going to be on edge the entire way might as well have some music to fit the mood.
>Dig PSP out of pocket and have it run the entire ODST soundtrack, starting with 'The Menagerie'.
>'The Menagerie' became 'Traffic Jam' which in turn became "Skyline'.
>Get home about the time "The light at the end' is near the halfway mark.
>Mad dash up the stairs with my legs carrying me as fast as I can move.
>Only feel a bit of safety once I get the door behind me locked.
>Saw Tsubaki's head poking out of the bedroom.
>"Anon what're doing home so early?"
>"You're probably really busy right now Tsu," I said with a bit of unease in both tone and body language. "Don't worry about me, focus on your work."
>Tsubaki's stopped poking her head out of the doorway and is now standing there.
>"You've never come home this early."
>Exhale, try and compose myself.
>"Al-almost got claimed today by this really weird doppleganger."
>Tsubaki's gone deadpan.
>Next thing I know she's got me in a full on hug.
>Even her tail is wrapped around me.
>"Oh god she didn't hurt you did she? You're ok?"
>Never seen Tsubaki so worried before.
>She looks like she's about to cry.
>"I-I'm fine Tsu."
>Try and step back slow.
>Finding it hard to hide that uneasy look on my face.
>"Hey Tsubaki I don't mean to be rude, but there's no need for the theatrics."
>Realize that my choice of words sounded dickish.
>"Anon, I'm just worried if that woman had succeeded I may have never have seen you again."
>"Don't worry Tsuba. You've got full access to my funds. It's not like you'd ever be homeless again."
>"That's not the point Anon, you've been so nice to me. I don't know what I'd do if you disappeared, I don't want to lose someone as nice as you from my life.
>Tsubaki's words hit hard.
>Can't really think of anything to say, just end up returning her hug.
>Manage to get out one thing before we pull away.
>"Thanks Tsubaki, lucky to have a friend like you."
>Looking at her face could tell she was definitely holding back some tears from how red it was.
>"I'm just gonna go lay down Tsu, maybe take a nap if that's ok. I'll try not to bother you while you're working hard for the both of us."
>"Anon you aren't a bother, sometimes you can be a pest but you never really bother me."
>Gave Tsubaki one last thanks in the form of a headpat which got a smile out of her.
>End up nodding off til supper after laying down.
>Had trouble sleeping that night after dinner.
>Mind kept playing back what happened with Kamille and how Tsubaki reacted.