Passing Evening Blues
A/N: Hey, guys! Iâm sorry for being gone for so long⊠Hereâs something to cheer you up. Keep these submissions going!
PROMPT: âPadlock meeting the new characters.â (This one is more⊠Paige meeting them. I feel like Tony is already good friends with them.)
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      "I canât handle it,â she often thought, "Iâm going to lose my mind.â
      Dipping her paintbrush into the diluted array of watercolors she set out, Paige exhaled deeply. There was nothing but chaos in the household. Tony and the puppets were constantly bickering over trivial matters, causing her toes to curl up in her slippers and her eyes to be stamped red with irritation. To her, it didnât matter about solving the mystery of who left the television running for too long.
      Some days, Paige became enraged. Sheâd breakdownâthrow paint, break canvases, generate a ruckus so that somebody, anybody, would listen to her shed away her issues. The one saying Paige stood  by: ânever let a creative mind become cluttered with frustrationâ. Â
      "Are you children?â Tony screeched, narrowing his eyes. Paige turned, curious. "Playing these childish games that we donât have time for?â he continued, angrily gesturing to the chess board that the puppets surrounded.
      She sighed instantly, screwing her eyes shut and swiping at the canvas in front of her blindly. Some days, she loved AnthonyâTonyâwhichever he enjoyed being called by that day. He was her everything. Tony was the metronome to the broken melody that was her life, keeping her in check. The days that she cried, he was there; the days that she was anxious, he was there. Of course, sheâd never admit it out loud, but he was a breath of fresh air. Tall, ropey, leanâAnthony was simply her partner.
      Yes, some days they argued. Some days it would become so passionate and heated that one of them would lay a hand on the other. Twisted? Yes. Unforgivable? Not in the slightest. They would always reconnect, their kisses whispering apologies on the otherâs skin, begging for forgiveness.
      "Tony, please just let them play,â Paige said quietly, opening her eyes. A blur of pastel lines meshed together on the canvas. She was fatigued, tired, exhausted from dealing with them every single day.
      Tony averted his gaze to her, eyes wide in disbelief. "Are you kidding me, my pet?â he asked. âWe have guests coming over and you expect me to let these children play these games?â
      The puppets huffed, refusing to be called children.
      Paige set her paintbrush down, opening her mouth to reply when the doorbell rang, sending off a resonating sound throughout the house.
      A smirk tugged at the corner of Tonyâs lip as he said, âThat should be them.â
      âI canât handle it,â she often thought, âIâm going to lose my mind.â
      When Paige was first introduced to the guests, the first thing in her mind was that they were a pair with many inquires. Both seemed to be fond of asking simple questionsâthe one male in the checkered sweater vest even asked if she enjoyed the color green. She scowled at that.
      "Paige, deary,â Tony began, standing beside the man donning the vest. The man took a step away, making sure there was distance between them. "This is Colin, he enjoysââ
      "I enjoy technology,â Colin stated, effectively cutting off Tony. "Thereâs nothing better than learning about things online. Speaking about learning things, you never answered, is your favorite color green?â
      Paige frowned once more. âNo, I hate it,â she replied flatly.
      The group welcomed silence with open arms, wrapping themselves in a can of tension.
      Suddenly, Tony cleared his throat, gesturing towards a man in a yellow turtleneck. âThis is Shrignold. Heâs working to get his psychology degree.â
      Shrignold smiled at Paige before he tilted his head. âIs there a reason why you donât enjoy a green hue?â
      Briefly glancing at Tony, Paige returned her attention towards Shrignold. His bright appearance reminded her of a happy sunâone that she would enjoy drawing.
      "Did something happen in your past? Perhaps a memory you arenât too fond of?â Shrignold asked.
      "Noââ
      "So, Paige, what is your favorite color then?â Colin asked, interjecting once more.
      Paige narrowed her eyes. "Tony, I thinkââ she began.
      "Paige, Iâm sure there must be a reason. Letâs think about why you donât like green,â Shrignold stated, "maybe green hates you as well.â He started leaning in to touch her, a cheerful smile beaming on his face. Tony, at this point, stepped in between them.
      "Let us go see theâ"
      "Puppets!â Colin said, nodding. "I agree. I have not seen them in forever.â
      âI canât handle it,â she often thought, âIâm going to lose my mind.â
      Paige closed her eyes as soon as Tonyâs                      hand softly rested on her shoulder. His comforting presence was enough to assuage her conflicting anger towards these guests. She turned to him, lips set into a thin frown as Colin and Shrignold led their way into the living room.
      "Donât worry, pet,â Tony whispered, tucking away a strand of her multi-colored hair behind her ear. "Theyâll be gone soon.â
      Paige leaned in to his gentle touch, opening her eyes to stare up at him. âI hope so,â she murmured.










