🍯 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒩𝒾𝓃𝑒: 𝒮𝒶𝒻𝑒 𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝒴𝑜𝓊 🍼🌙

Lucas's small hand fit perfectly in Amari's big, warm one as they slipped out of the library. His feet felt floaty, his brain all soft and fuzzy. He didn't even know where they were going. He just knew that Amari had him, and that was enough.

They walked down the hallway, past students who barely noticed them. Lucas clung to Amari's hand, rubbing his thumb against Amari's fingers for comfort. Amari didn't pull away—he squeezed back.

Lucas peeked up at him, his cheeks warm. "'Mari?"

"Yeah, Tiny?"

Lucas's lips wobbled around his thumb. "...Where we goin'?"

Amari smirked but kept his voice soft. "Somewhere quiet. You need a break, yeah?"

Lucas nodded. He did. He really, really did.

Amari led him outside, around the back of the school, to a little hidden spot under a big tree. It was quiet, just the sound of leaves rustling and birds chirping.

Lucas let go of Amari's hand and plopped down onto the grass, curling his knees to his chest. He still felt little. His body felt warm, soft, safe.

Amari sat beside him, watching him closely. "You good, Tiny?"

Lucas rocked a little, his fingers twisting the hem of his pastel sweater. "'M lil'..." he admitted shyly.

Amari didn't tease him. Didn't make a weird face. He just nodded like he already knew. "Yeah. I figured."

Lucas blinked up at him. "Y-you did?"

Amari chuckled. "Tiny, you were sucking your thumb and drinking your chocolate milk like a baby in the library."

Lucas squeaked, hiding his face behind his sweater paws. "N-no..."

Amari laughed but gently pried Lucas's hands away from his face. "Hey, I'm not making fun of you. It's cute."

Lucas peeked at him through his lashes. "...Really?"

Amari nodded. "Yeah. You're cute, Tiny."

Lucas's whole body went warm and fluttery. He stuck his paci in his mouth before he could say something embarrassing.

Amari just watched him, his face thoughtful. "So... this is your thing, huh? You get little sometimes?"

Lucas nodded, sucking softly on his paci.

Amari tilted his head. "Why?"

Lucas hesitated. He never really talked about it. People either didn't get it, or they made fun of him. But Amari... he looked like he actually wanted to understand.

Lucas tucked his face into his knees, mumbling around his paci, "'S safe..."

Amari leaned closer. "Safe?"

Lucas nodded again. "When 'm lil'... no big 'sponsibilities. No big feelings. Jus' safe."

Amari was quiet for a moment. Then, to Lucas's surprise, he reached out and gently tucked a piece of hair behind Lucas's ear.

Lucas melted.

"That makes sense," Amari said finally. "And you feel safe right now?"

Lucas peeked up at him, his lips around his paci. Amari's eyes were so warm. So gentle.

Lucas nodded shyly.

"...With me?"

Lucas hesitated, then gave the tiniest, softest, most honest nod.

Amari's smile softened. He reached out, slowly, carefully, and cupped the side of Lucas's face. His thumb brushed over Lucas's cheek.

Lucas's whole world spun. His body filled with warm, fuzzy feelings, and his heart thumped thumped thumped in his chest.

"Good," Amari murmured. "I wanna keep you safe, Tiny."

Lucas let out a soft, happy whimper around his paci and leaned into Amari's touch.

He was safe.

Right here. Right now.

With Amari.

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