Little!Eret CG!Niki
Niki had always been good at noticing when something was off with her friends. It was a skill she'd picked up over the years, first with her little brother, Tubbo, and then with everyone else.
So when Eret shuffled into the room, oversized sweater sleeves hanging low over their hands, shoulders hunched in a way that made them look much smaller than usual, Niki noticed.
She glanced up from the book she was reading on the couch, setting it down as Eret hesitated in the doorway. Their usual regal posture was nowhere to be found. Instead, they rocked slightly on their heels, lips pressed together as if struggling to find words.
"Eret?" Niki asked gently. "Are you okay?"
There was a pause. Then, almost imperceptibly, Eret shook their head.
Niki's heart clenched, but she kept her expression soft. She had seen this before, just not with Eret. Tubbo, her younger brother, had been open about his regression, and over time, she'd learned how to navigate it.
But Eret? This was new.
She sat up properly, patting the couch beside her. "Do you wanna sit with me?"
Eret hesitated again before nodding. They shuffled over, climbing onto the couch in a way that was almost awkward, tucking their legs under themselves. Their fingers fiddled with the hem of their sleeves, eyes darting toward Niki before dropping again.
Niki hummed softly. "You're feeling little right now, huh?"
Eret blinked up at her, surprise flickering across their face. Then, after a beat, they nodded.
"That’s okay!" Niki assured quickly, giving them a gentle smile. "Do you wanna talk, or do you just wanna sit?"
Eret hesitated before mumbling, "Sit..."
Their voice was softer than usual, quieter, tinged with something that tugged at Niki’s heart. She gave them a small nod. "Alright. Want a blanket?"
Another nod. Niki grabbed the softest one from the armrest and draped it over them. Eret immediately curled up beneath it, hands gripping the edges tightly.
After a moment, they peeked up at her. "Niki?"
"Yeah?"
"Can... can I have a cuddle?"
Niki’s smile widened as she opened her arms. "Of course."
Eret wasted no time in scooting closer, pressing into her side. Niki let them settle, resting her chin lightly against the top of their head. She could feel them relax, their breathing evening out as the tension slowly drained from their body.
"You're safe," she murmured softly. "You're okay."
Eret let out a tiny, content sigh, and Niki tightened her hold just a little, keeping them close.
It wasn’t what she had expected when she woke up that morning, but she didn’t mind. Eret had always been there for her, and if they needed this—needed her—then she would be there too.
Just like she always was.
A small silence settled between them before Niki felt Eret shift slightly, fingers tugging lightly at her sleeve. "Niki?"
"Mhm?"
Eret hesitated, then mumbled, "Paci...?"
Niki's heart melted at the soft request. "Of course, love. Hold on one sec."
She carefully untangled herself from Eret, moving to a small drawer where she kept a few comfort items for friends who needed them. Among them was Eret's pacifier—one they had painted themselves, a tiny golden crown decorating the front. Niki smiled as she picked it up, walking back over.
"Here you go, sweetheart," she said, holding it out.
Eret's face brightened slightly as they took it, popping it into their mouth before nestling back into Niki’s arms with a quiet hum of contentment.
Niki gently ran her fingers through Eret’s hair. "Better?"
Eret nodded, their eyes already beginning to droop.
With a fond smile, Niki pulled the blanket tighter around them, letting the quiet fill the space once more.
They were safe. They were home.