📖 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒮𝒾𝓍: 𝒯𝒾𝓃𝓎 𝒮𝓉𝑒𝓅𝓈, 𝐵𝒾𝑔 𝐹𝑒𝑒𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈 🍼🌙

Lucas clutched Amari's sleeve as they walked through the crowded hallway.

He wasn't usually this brave—being close to someone, letting them see him. But Amari had made him feel safe all morning, and now Lucas's little heart felt... different. Warm.

Amari glanced down, raising a brow. "You good?"

Lucas quickly let go of his sleeve, nodding fast. "M-mhm."

He wasn't.

The halls were too loud. His head felt fuzzy, like too many things were happening at once. He needed quiet. He needed his paci.

Lucas clenched his hands into fists and tried to focus.

Big kids don't cry in school.

That's what he told himself. But his eyes were already stinging.

Amari nudged him. "Hey, let's go outside for a sec."

Lucas blinked up at him. "B-but—"

"No buts. C'mon."

Before Lucas could argue, Amari had already turned, walking toward the side doors that led to the quiet part of the schoolyard.

Lucas hesitated—he hated skipping class. But right now, everything felt too much.

So he followed.

Outside was better.

The air was cool, the only sounds were birds and distant chatter from the courtyard.

Lucas sagged against the wall, pressing his cheek to the cool brick.

Amari leaned next to him, hands in his pockets. "You always get like this?"

Lucas rocked on his heels. "S-sometimes..."

Amari nodded like that made sense. "What helps?"

Lucas bit his lip. His hands twitched, wanting his paci, his soft blankie—something safe.

But Amari couldn't know about that.

"...Nothin'," Lucas mumbled.

Amari hummed. "Yeah?"

Lucas nodded.

Amari was quiet for a second. Then he pulled something out of his pocket.

A red lollipop.

He unwrapped it and held it out.

Lucas blinked. "W-what...?"

"Candy helps me when I'm stressed," Amari said. "You want it?"

Lucas hesitated. But his hands were already reaching.

He popped the lollipop into his mouth, the cherry sweetness instantly calming him. His shoulders relaxed. His fingers curled around the stick, holding it like a lifeline.

Amari watched him, his lips twitching into a smile. "See? Told you."

Lucas sucked on the lollipop, his cheeks warm. He mumbled around it, "Fank you..."

Amari grinned. "No problem, Tiny."

Lucas froze. His face burned.

"T-Tiny?!" he squeaked.

"Yeah." Amari winked. "You're small."

Lucas pouted, huffing through his nose. "I—m'not..."

Amari chuckled. "You totally are."

Lucas crossed his arms, pouting harder.

But deep down...

He kinda liked it.

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