A slow fall

Chapter 15 - Lucas

Once inside the house, brief words were shared before everyone separated. Feet moved in all directions with varying post drinking habits.

I glanced down at the boy leaning against me. His eyes would occasionally drift shut before his body jolted, keeping him awake and upright. As sleep called to him more, it's sweet sounds lulling him into a dream state, his body became heavier as he allowed me to hold him up. I helped guide him up the stairs, his sluggish body slowly going through the motions, and towards my room at the far end of the hallway.

My room was small with the double bed taking up most of the floor space, but it was space enough. The clutter that at first glance seemed chaotic and messy, was a collection of items from my childhood home and things I had purchased since moving out. Things that I clung to for comfort when first venturing out in the world, tasting independence for the first time, and those that followed me on my journey.

Caleb drowned in the clothes I had given him, our difference in size made noticeable by the absence of his hands in the hoodie and the bunched fabric gathered around his ankles. He clumsily padded back into my room, his sleepy eyes glancing up at mine with a tired smile on his face.

"Bedtime?" Caleb nodded and I watched as he sank into my bed, taking the left side, and hesitated, my feat naturally drawn to the left as well.

I stepped forwards, turning the bedside lamp on before turning off the main light. The soft yellow glow keeping the room illuminating.

Sleep found Caleb fast, his slow breaths confirmation. I allowed the stead sound to guide me into my own dreams.

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Morning came all too fast. My body felt heavy, and my head weighted to the pillow.

I'd turned on my sleep, my body once facing the wall now looking at a familiar figure sat against the headboard.

Caleb's attention shifted to me upon noticing my movement.

"Morning." My voice was groggy with the residue of sleep. Caleb's response was airy, the smile on his face conveyed through his words. Fully taking in his appearance, I concluded the boy had been awake for a while, though he reassured me it hadn't been to long.

"Have you had breakfast?" Embarrassment wasn't a look Caleb often wore, but the pink blush coating his cheeks was a sight I wished to see more.

"I didn't want to go downstairs. Also, it's more like lunch now."

I sat myself up, checking my phone to find it was indeed midday. "Why not?"

"I didn't want to bump into anyone. I thought I'd wait for you. Less awkward."

I was going to make a comment, but his lack of eye contact and still flushed cheeks deterred me. If he was genuinely nervous and embarrassed about that I had no intention to make him feel worse.

"Well, I'm up now, so we can finally get you fed. Do you want a change of clothes?"

Caleb looked down at what he was wearing, the clothes still handing off his frame and smothering his slightly smaller body.

"Nah, I'm good." After a moment's thought he continued, "if that's okay?"

"Yeah, it's fine. You look cute all swallowed up by my clothes." I stumbled in getting my own change of clothes out when I realised what I said, but decided if I act natural, he won't over think anything I had said. Right? Don't panic.