Flora had spent the past few weeks adjusting to the new reality of leaning on her friends for support. She was still processing everything—her need for emotional vulnerability, her desire to regress into her "little space," and how that part of her fit into the larger picture of who she was. The path ahead wasn't easy, but it was a journey of self-acceptance.Over time, Flora had grown more comfortable with expressing her needs. She no longer tried to hide her desire for comfort when she felt overwhelmed. The first few times she had slipped into her little space were done in private, but lately, she had found that the world didn't feel so scary when she had her friends by her side. Bloom, Layla, Tecna, and the others had been nothing but understanding, but the thought of fully opening up in front of them was still a bit daunting.One evening, after a particularly stressful day filled with battles and constant duties as a Winx, Flora found herself exhausted. Her body was worn out, and her emotions felt like they were about to spill over. The overwhelming sense of responsibility, of being the strong one, was too much. For the first time in a while, she realized that she didn't want to be the adult anymore. "I just need to feel safe," she whispered to herself.With that, Flora retreated to her room. She pulled out the plush bunny she had been clinging to for comfort. Sitting on her bed, Flora allowed herself to slip back into her little space, a place where she didn't need to be anything other than who she was—a vulnerable, emotional person in need of care.---It wasn't long before Bloom, the closest of her friends, knocked on the door. "Flora?" she called, her voice soft and understanding.Flora was sitting on the bed, clutching the bunny in her lap. She glanced up at Bloom, her face flushed with the vulnerability of the moment."Hey, Bloom," Flora said quietly, not making any effort to hide the stuffed animal. "I... I think I need to be in my little space right now. I just can't deal with everything, and I need to feel safe."Bloom smiled gently, walking into the room without hesitation. She had come to understand that Flora's moments of regression were not a sign of weakness, but a way for Flora to process her emotions and find comfort. There was no shame in it."You don't have to explain yourself, Flora," Bloom said kindly, sitting beside her on the bed. "We're here for you. You're allowed to have these moments. You don't have to be strong all the time."Flora's heart swelled with gratitude. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she didn't have to hide her true self. She had spent so much time trying to be everything to everyone, and now, for the first time, she was letting herself simply *be.*"Thank you, Bloom," Flora whispered. "I just... I don't know how to stop the flood of emotions sometimes. It's like everything comes crashing down, and I need to feel like I can be taken care of. Like I can let go for once."Bloom reached out and gently brushed Flora's hair back from her face. "You don't need to explain, Flora. It's okay to feel that way. You don't have to carry everything yourself. We're here, and we love you."---Over the next few hours, more of the Winx girls came by, one by one, to check on Flora. Each one of them had begun to understand Flora's need for emotional space. They weren't judging her or seeing it as a weakness—they were simply there to support their friend.Stella, always the first to offer something to make her friends feel better, brought in a soft blanket with colorful stars. "I thought you might want something cozy," she said, her smile infectious. "You need to feel safe, right? A little extra softness couldn't hurt."Layla brought some tea, a calming herbal mix that she knew Flora liked. "You know, it's okay to need help," Layla said, handing Flora a cup. "You don't always have to be the one holding it together."Flora accepted the tea, holding the warm cup between her hands. "I know," she said softly, "but it's hard to let go. I've always felt like I have to be the one who takes care of everyone. It's hard to ask for help.""You don't have to carry that weight alone anymore," Tecna said, sitting beside her with a gentle, reassuring look. "We're your friends. And we're here to help when you need us. No judgment."Flora smiled a little, comforted by the presence of her friends. The soothing sounds of the gentle breeze outside mixed with the quiet conversations among the group, and Flora began to feel more at ease. Her little space wasn't about weakness—it was a way to reclaim her sense of self, to feel loved, safe, and cherished without the burden of expectations.---As the night wore on, the others continued to check in with Flora. Riven, who had been standing in the doorway at first, came in and sat down beside Bloom. "If you ever need anything, Flora, just let us know," he said. His voice was a bit rough, but his concern was clear.Sky, too, had stopped by to offer his support. He wasn't one to express his feelings easily, but the sincerity in his words was unmistakable. "You've always been there for us, Flora. Don't ever feel like you're alone in this."Helia had been quiet, watching his girlfriend from the doorway. He didn't know exactly how to comfort her during these times, but he knew that simply being there meant the world to her.---Flora, now surrounded by her friends, was in her little space, but she felt more at ease than she had in a long time. She had expected to feel isolated, even ashamed, but instead, she felt a deep sense of connection. Her friends weren't judging her or trying to "fix" her—they were just allowing her to be, and that acceptance was healing.As she cuddled up with her bunny, she glanced around at the circle of friends that surrounded her, each one offering their quiet support in their own way."Thank you, all of you," Flora said quietly, her voice filled with emotion. "I don't know what I'd do without you.""You don't have to worry about that, Flora," Bloom replied, her voice warm. "You don't have to do anything alone. Not anymore."For the first time in a long time, Flora allowed herself to fully embrace this vulnerable part of herself. She let go of the expectations she had set for herself. She let go of the fear of being judged. And she found peace—not in perfection, but in acceptance.---
