Work Text:
Sure, working at the Pizzeria had been his dream job, but Peppino also couldn’t lie and say that the customers didn’t piss him off sometimes. They were just so… Frustrating ! Like- Why couldn’t they listen sometimes? Many times had the poor Italian repeated his words to various different customers who didn’t seem to get the point, many times had the poor Italian forced back his annoyance at everything . He had been doing this for years, longer than anything, sure he knew that things would never change but even then he had some minor hope… Minor, pointless, hope. Peppino forces back a growl as he deals with the latest customer, another former Tower resident, another misplaced soul who he knew he couldn’t get too angry at. Yes, he knew it was sorta his fault that they lost their old homes, and yet none of them seemed upset at him, thus why he did what he could to not get angry at them for not knowing things.
With another order in, Peppito heads back into the kitchen, stomping about a little as usual as he worked. Cooking was one of his favourite things, his hobby and main distraction, and a way for him to think about things. Like, again, the whole situation with the Tower. Did the people who used to live there understand that he hadn’t been targeting them? It had been real hard to find anyone who particularly hated him, outside of Pizzahead, even the Bosses had gone back to their own lives afterwards. Particularly… Well- The main focus of his life, his bitter rival and best friend; Theodore Noise. Famous, leagues above everyone else, rich and well-known and short and loud and way too hyperactive. And yet he still loved him.
Though the two had no enjoyment of the other's work, they had found mutual respect and their odd little relationship flourished. Peppito knew he’d never willingly watch the gremlin’s show or films or whatever he’s in, and he knew that the gremlin would never eat what he cooks while working, but that was okay because they could (hopefully) see past the work. He liked Theodore for his energy, the way he smiles, the way they had been rivals for years even though only one of the two ever won their fights. And he always suspected that it was deliberate, Theodore liked attention and if he could get it by being injured… It was an easy cheat code to have people caring about him. And it worked every time because he was too darn cute to hate.
Thinking of hating things… The ding from the oven brought Peppito back into real life, and with a grumble he had to get back to work. Another few hours of serving customers and cooking awaited him, and he wasn’t particularly looking forward to it. The current person waiting received their order, with a somewhat-forced smile, and he watches as they go to sit down at one of the tables. Another payment that would probably go straight into restaurant funds. Peppito wasn’t exactly flush with money, every payment he got went straight back into the restaurant, either the debt or the ingredients or any of the other basic payments he needed to handle. He was essentially the complete opposite of the gremlin in every way, they had nothing in common, he even refused to accept financial help from Theodore despite the fact that he could desperately do with it some days. Partially from pride, partially because he didn’t feel like he deserved it. After all, why should he accept handouts when he could prove that he can do things himself? Right?
Maybe not. This whole day would throw stress at him, sure he was used to it but that didn’t make things any better.
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Hours pass, and finally closing time came. Peppino was very energetic with closing up, his routine of shutting everything down being second nature and instinctual, he could do it in his sleep. Of course, not that doing such a thing would be recommended. It only took a few minutes, and he makes sure to leave the keys on the counter downstairs before heading upstairs so Theodore could lock the back door. There had been an incident a week ago where Noise had lost his original key, so without doing this he couldn’t get inside. The Italian was glad to be upstairs, in his apartment, home.
It would be quiet for another hour or so, he knew that, so he could cook dinner and turn something on so it wasn’t silent in the background. Probably music again, he could make it quiet and Theodore wouldn’t complain. Contrary to most beliefs, Peppino enjoyed the routine of working and then cooking dinner before settling down for the night. He could cook many things, as long as it didn’t require tomatoes it would be fine, Theodore happened to be… Allergic? That was the best way to describe it.
As Peppito had predicted, an hour later and there were the telltale sounds of a certain gremlin getting home. His name certainly fit, he was so noisy, it might be for show but it was absolutely his brand. “Peppi, I’m home!” Maybe that was something to dread, for a normal person, but Theodore’s voice from downstairs brought some comfort. At least one of them had a good day today. Peppino was already sat at the table when he entered the apartment, throwing the door open and heading into the kitchen, pulling off the mask that hid his face. He hops into the spare seat, grabbing the arm of the person he loved so much, smiling brightly. Peppito returns the smile half-heartedly, listening to the words spill out, giving the occasional mumble and nod in response. This was all he wanted, really, a chance to listen to Theo talk about endless things. The conversation was very one-sided, but neither minded as the one who led it was the one who had things to say.
“... Oh, I just remembered!” Those words were enough to break him from his trance.
“What is-a it?”
“I think I had something for you,” that was always something to dread. Theo, though a gremlin, took some of his cat traits very seriously sometimes. The amount of times he had been gifted a dead animal… However, Peppino knew to be polite, he knew that Theo couldn’t help his instincts sometimes and at least the gifts showed that he cared about him. Even if they were a little bit unconventional. “Lemme get changed, though”
“Right… You should-a do that,” he hops up, he spins around really fast, Peppino had seen this before but the whole act was always confusing. He wasn’t sure how spinning fast changed Theo’s outfit, and one time in secret he had tried it out but only made himself dizzy, not that he’d admit to doing such things. With dinner over, he decided to wash up later, wanting to spend this time with his boyfriend while they were both awake.
Peppito couldn’t help but be nervous. He had moved to the main room to sit down, and the gremlin not being there was terrifying. What was he planning? What chaos was he getting up to while not being observed? Had he ‘accidentally’ jumped out the window again? Luckily, he wouldn’t have to wait too much longer, for Theo suddenly hops into the room with something in his hands. A small box, much nicer presentation than his usual gifts, but also enough to make Peppino nervous. Anything could be inside. The box is handed over, and he cautiously opens it, to see an object inside. It was another of Theo’s craft projects. And, to be completely honest, his art skills were as good as his acting skills… He was
bad
. Absolutely terrible. And yet, Peppino was thankful that it wasn’t a dead animal. Even an object of unknown identity and material was better because it was clearly made with love (probably?) and passion (maybe?). “Oh, it’s-a. . .” He still had no idea what it was. It had a shape, but that was it. “... It’s-a really nice. You made this for-a me?”
“Of course!” Theo is so proud of himself, tail waving happily and a bright grin on his face. He knows his skills are worse than a child’s skills.
With the object placed safely on a shelf, the two ended up sat together, TV playing some sorta show quietly, Theo completely dead asleep and leaning against Peppino. His hand runs through the gremlin’s hair, and over his ears, a repetitive motion that gave him some comfort and a reminder that Theo was real and he was still there. Despite the fact that his work day had been awful, Peppino figured that this was all worth it afterwards, he could spend time with someone he loved and he got to worry less about personal issues. And what could be better than that?