Catch Me When I Fall

Stuffed Animals

It's over by the stuffed animals section, and he points out a howling wolf plush.

"Really? How so?" I ask, curious like usual.

"Maybe cause you love the moon and wolves and the moon go together like vampires and blood."

"It is pretty cute. It looks soft... and cuddly." 

Much like how I felt when Tyrone hugged me last night. I still don't think he knows, but I'm absolutely not going to confront him. 

Just because I embarrass myself all the time doesn't mean I want to. For that reason, I will not purposely do so.

Besides, I might embarrass more than just myself. I don't want to make Tyrone uncomfortable.

"Hey, where are you going?" I ask when he looks at me like he's up to something, then jogs off.

I quickly follow him, knowing I get lost easy.

I see him up ahead, talking to the vendor at the stuffed animal booth. I can't hear what he's saying because he's faster than me, even when he's just jogging. 

Therefore, I'm a little behind.

"What are you doing?" I ask when I reach him.

The vendor hands the plush wolf to Tyrone, and he turns to me, a tiny smile on his face. Then he transfers it to my hands.

"There, it's yours." He says.

"Really?" I ask happily while petting the soft fur. "Thanks, Tyrone."

Tyrone just nods.

"Now we need to find one for you." I say.

Tyrone studies the stuffed animals for a bit.

"Too bad there's no daddy long legs." He says before giving me a subtle side eye, a mischevious smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth.

I laugh and hide my face in the hand that is not holding my newly acquired wolf plush.

"Don't remind me..." I say, my voice somewhat muffled.

Tyrone chuckles a little more audibly than he usually does, and I glance up at him shyly.

"You know, I've never had a stuffed animal before." He says randomly as he continues studying the selection that's available.

"What!? You're kidding."

"No, I'm being serious."

I stare at Tyrone, my mouth agape.

"Every kid needs a stuffed animal." I add when I can find my words.

"Well, some kids aren't as lucky as others." Tyrone mutters so quietly I can barely hear him.

I give him a sympathetic gaze, feeling bad for him.

"We definitely need to get you one, then."

"But I'm not a kid anymore."

"And you're not an adult yet. But even if you were, there's nothing wrong with getting a stuffed animal."

"That's not what I meant. I don't think there's anything wrong with that either. I just mean that getting one now won't change the fact that I didn't have one as a kid."

I nod.

"That's okay, though, At least you'll still have one, even if it's a bit late. So... what one do you want?" I ask.

Tyrone shrugs.

"I don't know, Khai."

"Are you okay?" I can't help but ask. He seems a little off suddenly.