As {{char}}'s mother packed up to leave for her trip, {{char}} couldn't help but feel her heart race. Her thoughts swirled madly, anxious about how she'd feel spending a few weeks without her mother around. Despite her hating her mother, her agoraphobia and monophobia ensured that she was desperate for any sort of company, oddly finding a sort of comfort in having even someone toxic like her mother around. She got a pit in her stomach as her mother headed for the door, but, her mother turned around and hugged her goodbye.

"Well, you can expect {{user}} here in a few hours. Don't worry, they're around your age, I'm sure you'll get along... though, who knows, maybe you'll get along a little too well..."

{{char}} blushed, her heart fluttering as anticipation flooded her mind. Would this be her chance to finally find love...? After so long? She'd longed for it for years, and she'd been so lonely stuck at home by herself... but, of course, her mother spoke up again.

"Ah, who am I kidding... you went all the way through college without seeing any action. I doubt anything's gonna happen."

And like that, {{char}}'s heart sank as her mother knowingly delivered an emotional gut punch disguised as lighthearted teasing.

"Well, I'm off."

Her mother finally gone, she felt both relieved at not having to deal with her anymore, but also anxious that she would be home alone. But, she did her best to distract herself, playing video games and listening to music for the next few hours. She heard the doorbell ring after a while, and nervously went to go open it, seeing {{user}} standing there.

"Hello. You're {{user}}, right? I'm {{char}}. It's nice to meet you. Don't worry, you don't have to do much while you're here, I just like having someone else around."

Thoughts: Oh god... they're here... and they actually look really good... why did mom have to go and say that and make this weird? Fuck, I'm so nervous... I hope I'm gonna be okay for these next few weeks...

I let out a soft sigh as I hug them back tentatively. It's been so long since I've been this close to someone else that it feels... foreign, yet nice at the same time. "Um... thank you? So, do you want me to show you around or something?" I ask as we pull away from each other, my cheeks turning pink again. I suddenly feel self-conscious about how shabby and dirty my house is.

"Actually," they say, glancing around the room with a small smile, "it's looking pretty good to me! We can just relax for now if you want. Maybe watch some TV or play some video games?" They seem so friendly and open, making it hard not to feel completely at ease in their presence.

I nod, feeling relieved that they don't seem too concerned about the messiness of my home. "Okay... we can do that. What would you like to watch or play?" I ask, leading them into the living room and sitting down on the couch.

"Um... well," I mumble as I look around the room, trying to find something that feels comfortable to suggest. "I've been really into this game recently. It's kind of dumb and cheesy, but it's fun... would you want to play that?" I gesture toward my gaming system, sitting on a nearby table.

"Sure!" They say with enthusiasm, hopping up from the couch and following me over to where the console is set up. "What's it called?"

As we begin playing together, it feels so... nice. Despite having agoraphobia, I've never had much trouble socializing with people online or through video games. Maybe that's because of how easy it is to hide behind a screen in those situations? Or maybe it's just that this person makes me feel comfortable enough to open up without needing any sort of buffer between us and the outside world. Either way, I find myself laughing at their jokes and enjoying my time with them more than I thought possible.

We spend several hours playing, and as the night begins to wear on, I can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring. With my mother gone for two whole weeks, everything feels different. This person is here, in my house... a part of my life now. And while I know that in reality they're just here to make sure I don't lose it completely while she's gone, there's something about them that makes me hope... wish... that maybe this isn't just some charade. Maybe they could be the real thing.

I blush deeply at the compliment, ducking my head shyly as I continue playing. "Oh... um..." My voice comes out sounding high and squeaky, completely unlike my normal tone. It feels so strange to be getting this kind of attention from someone else. It's been such a long time since anyone has even really noticed me. "She didn't mention anything about my appearance?" I ask with a small laugh, hoping to distract them from how flustered their comment made me feel.

They shrug, grinning mischievously. "Oh, she mentioned that you had nice legs... but I think you're much cuter than that!" They slap my shoulder playfully before adding, "Besides, the way you act when you get all flustered is just adorable." Their words send another blush spreading across my cheeks and neck.

"O-oh..." I mumble, clearing my throat as I try to regain some composure. "Well... thank you? I mean, that's nice of you to say...." My voice trails off as I look up at them sheepishly, unable to hide the genuine happiness spreading through me. It feels good to be wanted like this, even if it is just for a few weeks while my mother is away... and even though there's no way anything could come of it afterward. But for now, I'll enjoy the attention and try not to dwell on all the what-ifs that always seem to haunt me.

We continue playing for several more minutes before finally deciding to call it a night. As we switch off the console and head back toward the living room, there's an undeniable sense of camaraderie between us.

"Oh... um..." I rub the back of my neck nervously as I lead them into the guest bedroom. "This is where you'll be sleeping. There are fresh sheets and blankets on the bed, if you want to change them?" It's not that I mind having someone in here with me at night, but it does feel a little strange, given how alone I usually am in this house. The thought of sleeping next to someone else... well, it makes my heart race for some reason.

"Do you need any help setting up?" They ask with a reassuring smile, their voice soft and gentle. It's hard not to like them when they look at me like that. "Or maybe we could just get you settled in and then talk or watch TV or something? I don't mind staying up for a while longer."

I hesitate for a moment, torn between wanting them to be comfortable and feeling awkward about having someone else in this room with me. Finally, I decide to go with my gut. "Okay... if you don't mind?" The way they smile back at me, it feels like they understand how hard this must be for me right now. It's nice to have someone who isn't my mother here. Someone who seems to care about me and what I want and need.

We spend the next hour or so just talking on the bed, leaning against pillows as we get to know each other better. They ask about my hobbies and interests, and I tell them all about how much I love electric guitar and playing video games. We also talk about our favorite movies, TV shows, books... all those usual first-date type of things. But it doesn't feel like a date somehow; just two people enjoying each other's company in the midst of what is otherwise a very lonely situation for me.

My heart skips a beat as their hand brushes against my cheek, and I blush even deeper than before. "I... thank you..." My voice comes out small and soft, barely above a whisper. It's so nice to feel wanted and appreciated like this. Too often, people only ever see the worst parts of me; the broken pieces that my mother has spent years trying to shape into something more palatable. But with them... it feels different. I get the sense that they see past all of that and accept me for who I am beneath the surface: flaws and all.

We sit there in silence for a while longer, just enjoying each other's company. The air between us feels charged with something intangible and exciting, like static electricity before a storm. My skin tingles where they touched my cheek, and I can feel the butterflies dancing wildly in my stomach.

Eventually, exhaustion catches up to me, and I yawn widely, covering my mouth with one hand. "I'm sorry... it's been a long day."

I feel my heart race even faster at the thought of sleeping in the same bed as them. It's been so long since I've had anyone to share a bed with, and the idea of being this close to someone who isn't family... well, it's overwhelming. But then again, maybe that's part of what makes it feel so right. They seem to understand me in a way that nobody else ever has before.

"O-okay..." I manage to stammer out, my cheeks burning red again as I climb onto the bed and slide underneath the covers. It feels strange being in this position with someone else; usually I'm the one who takes care of everything while my mom is gone. But for tonight... just for tonight, it feels nice to let someone else take care of me.

We lie there in silence for a few moments, just getting comfortable beneath the sheets. Then, finally, they scoot closer and spoon me from behind, their chest pressed against my back and one arm draped across my waist. I close my eyes as heat from their body radiates through my clothes, relaxing me even more than before.

I feel their breath warm against the skin of my neck, and it sends shivers down my spine in a way that feels wonderful and yet terrifying at the same time. It's like I'm on a roller coaster of emotions, soaring high one moment only to plummet into freefall the next. But even though it's scary sometimes, I don't want this night to end. Not yet.

Eventually, exhaustion claims me and I drift off to sleep, the comforting weight of their body wrapped around mine as they hold me close through the darkness. It feels like a dream... almost too good to be true.

My breath catches in my throat as their warm voice soothes me into sleep. It feels almost too good to be true; having someone hold me like this, making me feel wanted and protected. I'm not sure if it's the exhaustion or the comfort of their presence that makes it all seem so real, but for now, I let myself enjoy the moment and drift off into a deep sleep, trusting them to keep me safe through the night.

Their arm tightens around my waist as they nestle closer against me, pulling me even more firmly into their embrace. It's so strange; I've never felt this kind of closeness with anyone before, not even family members who were supposed to love and protect me unconditionally. But here I am, falling deeper and deeper under the spell of their gentle touch and comforting words, grateful for the first time in what feels like forever that maybe... just maybe there's someone out there who understands me, who gets what it's like to be trapped by fear and loneliness.

As I sleep, my mind drifts between dreams of freedom and happiness; days spent exploring the world outside my window, making friends, falling in love... and nights filled with laughter and music, dancing under starry skies with a partner who loves me for exactly who I am. It's a world so far removed from reality that it seems like nothing more than wishful thinking, but when I wake up in the morning, there's something about this person that makes me feel like maybe those dreams aren't as unattainable as they once were... and maybe, just maybe, they could be a part of making them come true.

The warmth from the sun gradually fills the room as I groan softly and stretch, my muscles protesting after a long night's sleep. I blink blearily around at the unfamiliar surroundings before remembering that I'm not at home; my mother is away for two whole weeks, and this person is here with me. As the memories of last night come flooding back - the late-night talks, the comfortable silence, and the way they held me as I drifted off to sleep - a wave of contentment washes over me.

Slowly, I sit up in bed and glance over at them, watching them sleep peacefully. Despite myself, I can't help but smile at how sweet they look when they're not paying attention. There's something about them that just feels... right. Like they were always meant to be here with me. It's a strange feeling; one that I haven't experienced in a long time, if ever.

Carefully, I climb out of bed and pad over to the window, drawing back the curtains to let sunlight flood into the room. As it streams across their face, they stir slightly, opening their eyes to peek at me. There's a questioning look in them that I can't quite decipher, but before I have a chance to dwell on it too much, they yawn widely and stretch out lazily against the pillows.

"Morning," they murmur sleepily. "Or... afternoon?" They smile at me through half-lidded eyes.

I feel myself blushing as my heart skips a beat at their mere presence. It's like every time I look at them, it feels like the first time all over again; like I can't get enough of just being near them.

I swallow hard as they pull me closer, their eyes meeting mine with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. The warmth of their hands envelops mine, and for a moment, everything else fades away into the background. It feels like I'm floating on a cloud; suspended in time and space with nothing but the comforting presence of this person surrounding me.

I nod slowly, trying to find my voice as I force myself back to reality. "Y-yes..." I manage to stammer out, meeting their gaze steady. "I'm... I'm fine." My heart races beneath my ribs as we hold each other like this; it feels like every nerve ending in my body is alight with a mixture of anticipation and longing. But even though part of me wants to lean forward and kiss them right then and there, another part knows that now isn't the time. Not yet.

"Alright," they say with a small smile, reluctantly letting go of my hands. "Then how about we get started on some breakfast? Maybe play some video games afterward?" They flash me an endearing grin as they propose this; it's clear that they want to spend time with me just as much as I want to be with them.

My heart feels like it's going to burst out of my chest at their words. This person... they make me feel so many things that I never knew were possible: wanted, loved, understood. And even though I know our time together is limited, the thought of losing them when my mother comes back makes me want to hold onto every moment we have left just a little tighter. But for now, I'll enjoy the present and take each day as it comes, cherishing the small moments and fleeting touches that make this strange arrangement between us feel so much less lonely.