Chapter Text
You thought everyone that had ever met you knew you were horrible at keeping secrets. You heavily assumed it was obvious - even if it was just one person, one thing, you always ended up spilling to someone. You really did try to keep secrets, and for the most part, you could. Obviously, you didn't just go around telling whoever something someone trusted you not to tell. Usually, you talked to something inanimate, something that couldn't hear it. The point was, you were good at getting around the whole issue.
However, most secrets that people told you or that you had yourself were small, things that could easily be kept under wraps. Things that wouldn't ruin the reputations of not just one person, but possibly even two.
The secret that you were trying your hardest to keep wasn't something that you could hide as easily. Sure, you tried, you really did, but… Well, neither you nor Tenna had a subtle way of showing affection. You toned it down when at work, of course, but it was like the second he was off the clock nobody could see either of you. You did appreciate him wanting to be so romantic with you, and you did want to do so much more, but you were honestly terrified. You had already made up the exact scenario that could have happened if any part of it got out: whoever found out would tell everyone, and everyone would turn their back on you, thinking that you were doing it for fame or benefit or some other selfish reason. They would hate you, and they would hate Tenna for reciprocating. The show would get cancelled due to the petty controversy he'd face, and he would resent you for the rest of your lives for ruining everything.
Of course, you had no way of actually knowing that would happen. You had a good (bad) feeling it would go just like that, though, no matter who found out.
At least you didn't have to show up today. The weekends where everyone was able to get out of coming were nice - and a lot more frequent with Tenna's mood improving. For no reason at all, of course. You would have no idea why he was so happy all the time all of a sudden.
With the knowledge that you weren't getting chewed out and/or fired for not coming in, you didn't even bother getting out of bed. You were awake, of course - the last thing you were able to do was sleep as of late - but you simply stayed curled up underneath the sheets, thinking about the situation you've put yourself in.
You didn't have too many solutions. It was a lose-lose. You tell someone and risk turning the entire world against you and Tenna, you break things off with him completely, or you let it stew. You don't tell anyone, and it stays a secret forever. You and him are together but so far apart.
Forever.
You had no idea what to do. All of the options presented were off the menu - you were simply at a loss. No matter what, it'd end in you both hopeless and utterly miserable.
Your thoughts were cut short by a loud, insistent knocking at your door. You contemplated turning all the lights out and pretending you weren't home so they would go away. You almost did, really, but whoever was at the door wasn't giving up. Finally, you dragged yourself out of bed, pajamas and all, lugging yourself over, ready to at least politely turn away whoever was knocking at your door.
And lo and behold, it was the one person you couldn't turn away, leaned down slightly so it wasn't just his lower half that was visible through the doorway.
"I didn't wake you up, did I?" He asked, giving your attire a once-over. He looked genuinely concerned that he had interrupted your sleep.
"No, you didn't. I've been up for a while, just haven't, y'know. Gotten changed or anything," you reassured. His shoulders immediately dropped from where they were previously up against the vents on the side of his head. "So, why are you here? You don't usually visit me like this."
You felt like you already knew the answer - like you'd said, he didn't show up to your house all willy-nilly. But, given the offer you'd struck up after your… backstage activities, you assumed he'd be showing up a lot more frequently.
"Oh, right!" He snapped his fingers at your question, grinning and adjusting the opening on his suit. "I, ah, thought you could use some company. You know, it's not every day we get a day off like this! Wouldn't want you to be all lonely!"
You would've thought it was sweet if it wasn't for the fact that he was obviously projecting onto you. You're kind of surprised he still felt the need to do that - out of everyone, you thought he'd be open with at least you. But, apparently, he was still too stuck in his own ways. Despite that knowledge, you still stepped out of the way, allowing him to duck down and step right into your home like he knew it by heart.
He could've fooled you if it wasn't for the fact that, upon being able to stand up straight once more, he looked around, taking in the scenery of your home. It wasn't much, but… well, it wasn't like he's been in here before. He's only seen the exterior.
"It's cozy," he commented, heading right over to your couch, taking up at least two of the cushions. Thankfully, there was one right on the edge left for you, so you figured you might as well join him, leaning back against the slightly worn cushions.
"Eh, I've always thought it was kind of underwhelming," you admitted. Compared to how you envisioned his house - y'know, since he was rich and all - yours must've been as good as a cardboard box. At least he was trying to be nice. "I mean, I appreciate it, though. I'm sure yours is probably a lot more interesting."
He couldn't help but laugh at how quickly you shot his compliment down, waving off your comment about his own place.
"Oh, it's not as much as you'd think!" He replied - you weren't sure if he was telling the truth or not, but you decided not to pry too much. It wasn't like you were going to beg to go to his house. You were sure that'd just bring more attention to the ordeal you were trying to hide.
So, instead, you nodded, glancing around awkwardly. You were just realizing you were not used to having people over. At all. You weren't really sure what could've made you a "good" host in the setting you were in. This would've been so much easier if he just called you, or asked if you could go somewhere with him.
But going somewhere would mean going in public. Really either way was a complete bust - either make a fool of yourself by letting him see just how much of a bumbling, awkward idiot you were or let the secret get out. Ultimately, this was the only solution that at least let you have a little bit of a way to get around it.
"…Uh, do you want, like…" You thought, trying to think of what you could offer. Everything coming to mind felt cliche, too cheesily romantic to be offered without cringing at yourself. You hated that you were so easily embarrassed by everything. Finally, you just settled on something that sounded nice, but not too tooth-rotting right off the bat. "Food? Or, y'know, anything. It's up to you - uh, make yourself at home."
You noticed him perk up, appearing to be weighing his options. You think, at least. It was kind of hard to tell.
"I could go for something, I suppose!" He finally decided, leaning back against the fabric. "What did you have in mind, Superstar?"
"Oh, I don't know. I mean, it's up to you. You're the guest and everything." You sighed, scratching at the side of your face with your pointer finger. "Sorry. To be honest, I don't really have people over too often. I have no idea what I'm doing."
He laughed at that, reaching over to pat your shoulder, trying not to be too rough (too bad he still didn't know his own strength, apparently).
"Don't worry about that, you're doing just dandy at it! Seriously, I couldn't even tell."
Surprisingly, you smiled at that. You knew just from the tone that he was lying to your face, but you figured the best option was to simply take it at face value. Either way, at least he said something nice about you.
He thought for a moment, apparently only then remembering the initial decision he was supposed to make. Finally, he shrugged.
"Well, I'd be alright with anything, really. We could just throw something together and call it a day!"
You nodded a little, wondering what you could possibly make that would be good, but wouldn't take too long to make. You honestly didn't really feel like cooking, which kind of sucked. Why'd you ask if he wanted to eat if you didn't want to fix something?
"I've probably got a couple of TV Dinners. Would that work?" You finally asked, standing up and starting to make your way into the kitchen.
He clapped his hands together, practically launching himself off of the couch, just barely missing the ceiling, his antennae making a quiet clicking sound when the tips brushed up against it.
"That sounds DELIGHTFUL!" he exclaimed, practically skipping towards the kitchen right behind you. He leaned back against the counter near the sink, giving you room to open the fridge and grab two TV Dinners. They weren't much, but they should be enough to tide you over for a while. You unstacked them, setting one in the microwave and turning it on, the quiet hum filling the room and drowning out the silence.
You moved over to stand next to Tenna, leaning forward, supporting most of your weight on your elbows. It was pleasantly quiet for a moment, before Tenna spoke up again, picking at the seams of his gloves, right where the tips of his fingers were supposed to rest.
"You know… I got to thinking about what you offered a few days ago. After…" he trailed off, giggling uncontrollably for a moment, his face glowing a bright red. It was like just saying what you and him did was impossible for him to do.
"…After having sex backstage?" You finished for him after at least a minute of him hiding behind his hands, his shoulders shaking with how much he was laughing at himself. He nodded, finally somewhat composing himself, rubbing his hand down his face since he managed to catch his breath.
"Yeah. Yeah, that." He nodded, finally looking at you. Well, kind of. It didn't seem like he was looking at your face, that was for sure. You'd just let him think he was being sneaky since he had no visible eyes, even if the way his head was angled made you want to bet money that he was staring at your ass. "It- it felt good. Great, actually! And I was thinking about it, since it happened, and well…"
"You want to do it again, don't you?"
"…Maybe."
You couldn't help but laugh. At least you got the truth out of him pretty easily. You weren't entirely sure why he didn't lead with it, though.
"Why didn't you just say that?" You inquired, setting the other TV Dinner in the microwave once you'd gotten the other out before heading back to your original spot.
"I didn't want you to think that was all I came over for," he admitted, glancing at the floor and kicking one foot up for a moment. "Just barging in and asking for something like that right off the bat always feels… too fast."
"Yeah, that makes sense, I guess." You nodded a little. "I mean, I'd figure you'd stick around afterwards either way, but, y'know, thanks for caring about it so much. Those things stay hot for a while. If you really want to, we could make a quick detour to the bedroom…?"
You saw him slump over, sighing in sheer relief at how you seemed to be on-board with the idea. Once he registered that you were referring to that very moment, he stood straight up again, nodding with a wide grin.
"Well, who am I to say no?" He proclaimed, starting to head off before stopping abruptly again, remembering he had no idea how the layout of your house worked. Trying to play it off, he added with a wave of his arms, "Lead the way!"
You chuckled, standing back up and grabbing him by the hand, your chest warming when he squeezed right back. Your bedroom wasn't too far, luckily - you're just glad he wanted to do this in the first place.