𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐘 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐃𝐒 .

1.

𖣔

"he's a little bit too soft for a boy, don't you think?"

the words, quiet and distant were ushered by two bystanders, complete strangers, watching the little boy at the top of the slide who had never played at a park so nice. neither had the boys he had begged to come with who played wildly with the multiple pieces of equipment that they didn't have back in their own neighborhood. in fact, they had nothing of the sort in the slums, which perhaps explained why they played so wildly except for one boy.

the six year old's lip quivered in slight trepidation as he hung onto the handles that graced the mouth of the slide his shaky legs refused to move on. to say he had been standing there for a good while was not at all an unacceptable assumption, completely blocking off the chance all the other kids had. however, it was not his intention and it showed in his large, golden eyes that glazed over with a slight nerve.

"just go!" a kid behind him shouted, his harsh tone frightening the boy who couldn't find it in him to take a leap of courage. his words seemed to be stuck in his throat as he kneeled down, still holding the handles as he squatted on his knees. maybe if he just closed his eyes, he would go away? mahi'ai's heart pounded at the mere sight of the high slope. he didn't anticipate it to be this high, way too far from the ground, and to be fair he thought his brother would be right behind him but it seemed he had disappeared.
"donii." the boy muttered, whispering his brothers name that was nowhere to be found as he looked around with watery eyes., wishing he'd come and save him. to say mahi'ai loved his brother was to say that humans needed air to survive. the little boy was like his shadow, always following him around whenever he could even though he would sometimes be left at home. even still, he stuck to his brother like glue, always hand in-hand with the boy who was the only one who could really understand his islander twist on words or pick up his quiet voice, so to say mahi was quite panicked without him was an understatement.

the six year old wasn't sure what to do before suddenly, the whining voices behind him completely ceased to exist. the boy with a head full of black curls looked back at all of the kids who had moved away, instead replacing it with a single brunette who had very easily cut the line and who also just stared down at him.

mahi'ai somewhat recognized him. he was one of his brother's friends that had came to the park, and if he wasn't mistaken, was around rather frequently. just like him, he had a head full of brown curls, only his was much more messier and compared to mahi'ai, he was a giant. the amber-eyed boy meekly blinked up at him, wiping his tears on the side of his balled fist as his heart raced with a lasting nerve from his previous encounter.

"are you going to get on it?" the older boy asked, noting the way the boy seemed to murmur to himself before simply not responding for a moment. the brunette watched in slight surprise seeing that the younger child had no problem ignoring him, or anybody for that matter as he turned his head away.
"..yea." the younger nodded hesitantly, pulling down his black shorts that were a bit too big for him, expected considering he got them from his brother as well as the large, blue t-shirt he wore.
"oh.. are you scared?"
"..yea."

"don't worry." the older boy said before reaching out a hand. "i'll go with you."

mahi'ai blinked over at the boy who couldn't help the way his eyes widened as he finally made eye contact. his eyes shone a deep gold- like the sun, but darker. even in natural lighting, they glowed a deep brozen, kissed with browns and mellow hints of yellow blended into the purest expression of light in those angelic eyes, crowned with a beautiful hint of dependent curiosity.