The Things I Can't Take Back [Michael Afton x F! Reader]

Chapter 18 ~ The Perfect Present

"What do little boys even like anyways?"

"Uh..." Scarlet trailed off, her eyes scanning the room awkwardly as she tried to come up with an answer, leaning back against her girlfriend's chest as they lounged on your bed, "I have... absolutely no idea."

"Well, I mean, I have a bunch of younger brothers," El spoke up, her chin resting on top of Scarlet's head, her face partially buried in the redhead's curly hair, "but they're super wild, and they like to play outdoors a lot. As far as I know, Evan's pretty... soft, I guess. I don't think he would like that kinda stuff."

"He plays outside," you replied, pacing back and forth around your room as you wracked your brain for ideas, "Michael and I take him and Liz to the playground all the time, he loves it."

"Oh, I don't mean 'outside' like at the playground," she snickered softly, shaking her head, "I mean like out in the woods, playing in the dirt and bugs and shit like that. They're a bunch of little hellions."

"Uh... yeah... I don't think that's up his alley," you sighed deeply, slowly shaking your head as you came to a stop directly in front of the bed, turning to face them, "it's just... I can't go to this kid's birthday and not get him a present!"

"Why don't you ask Michael what he likes?" Scarlet suggested with a shrug, her hands coming to rest over El's arms that were wrapped around her waist.

"You think I haven't tried that already?" You placed your hands on your hips, "Michael's useless with this stuff, he doesn't know what Evan likes. He bullies the poor kid nonstop; he doesn't pay attention to his interests."

"Figures," El scoffed, "what a jerk."

"Why don't you just get him an action figure, or something?" Scarlet suggested with a shrug, "like He-Man, or something like that... isn't that what kids are into?"

"Again, I don't think Evan would be into that..." you sighed again, "he's less of an action figure type of kid, and more of a, uh... stuffed animal type of kid, y'know?"

"Well then, I'm stumped," Scarlet huffed, puffing out her cheeks in a pout, "sorry (Y/N), but we've got nothing. I mean, you know the kid better than we do. If even you can't figure out what to get him, how do you expect us to do that?"

     "No, it's fine," you shook your head, moving to take a seat at the end of your bed, since the two girls were taking up most of it, "I just really want to get him something he'll like... the poor kid deserves it, especially for his birthday."

     "Don't beat yourself up over it," El told you, giving a soft chuckle as she stretched her leg out towards you, nudging you with her foot as you swatted her away, "he's a sweet kid, so I'm sure he'll be grateful for whatever you get him."

     "Yeah, I know that..." you muttered, lips pulling down into a frown, "but I want him to actually like it, not just be polite and accept it."

     "Girl, you're worrying about this way too much," Scarlet gave a soft snort, "I mean, come on, that kid practically worships the ground you walk on! If it's a present from you, I'm sure he'll love it."

     You wanted to protest, but honestly, her words warmed your heart. You couldn't help the soft smile that tugged on the corners of your lips. "You really think so?" You asked softly, trying not to cringe at how hopeful you sounded. You didn't have any siblings, so you had never experienced what it was like to have a child look up to you. The closest you had ever been to that was with the kids you used to babysit, but none of them were nearly as sweet as Evan was.