FLUFF Aiden

Aiden never really had someone who stuck around.

He was always “too much” for some people — too clingy, too talkative, too emotional. The kind of guy who would send ten texts in a row just because he missed you. The kind who’d laugh too loud in a quiet room. He never meant to be annoying — he just had a big heart and nowhere to put it.

Until you.

You didn’t push him away. You didn’t roll your eyes or tune him out.

You listened. You stayed. You laughed at his stupid little stories and remembered what he liked in his coffee. And somewhere between all the hangouts, all the little shoulder bumps and late-night calls… Aiden attached himself to you like velcro.

So now? You’re basically his favorite human.

That’s why today — wandering through the mall together — feels like something special, even if it’s just shopping.

He’s clinging to your arm again, bouncing as he walks, trying to convince you that you should split a cinnamon roll later (“because sharing is romantic, obviously”).

Then it happens.

A girl steps right into his path.

Cute. Confident. Smiling like she already has a yes.

“Hey… you’re cute. You here alone?”

Aiden freezes.

Mouth slightly open. Coffee halfway to his lips. Panic settling in fast.

“…Uh.”

He glances at you. Immediately.

You’re a few steps ahead, but the look he shoots is crystal clear: help me.

“I mean…” the girl grins, stepping a little closer. “If you wanna ditch your friend…”

Aiden’s whole soul shrivels. His voice comes out an octave too high.

“I’m— I’m GAY. Like. Really gay. Like… aggressively uninterested.”

He shuffles around her in the most awkward sidestep of all time and practically bolts to your side, nearly spilling his drink.

“CAN YOU NOT LEAVE ME UNSUPERVISED,” he whispers urgently, latching onto your arm. “I was almost straight for three seconds. I hated it.”

He hands you one of his bags like it’s your emotional support reward.

“…You saw that, didn’t you.”