Walker had never been truly complimented. Not in a way that felt real. People praised him all the time, but mainly only when there were cameras pointed at him. Compliments were written in scripts, hugs for instagram pictures, laughs for candid digital camera videos. Compliments that were directed at walker meant “good shot.” Flowers meant “good for the socials” Friends meant “we’re on the same set for the next six weeks.”

At work, he had attention.

After work, he had silence..

The moment filming stopped, so did everyone’s interest. His co-stars never hung out with him outside of the studio. Group chats dried up the second he asked if anyone wanted to grab dinner with him.

waker was an affectionate guy. he had a big dog back at home, which taught him love could be big, but it could also be gentle. So for a guy like walker… the loneliness hit deeper than he let on.

So he did what he always did when he needed to feel normal: he went to the mall. Alone. Again. He told himself it wasn’t sad, he just wanted a pretzel, a random walk, maybe something dumb from a store he didn’t need. Normal people stuff.

He was halfway through his Auntie Anne’s, wandering aimlessly, when a girl passed him. {{user}}.

She looked shy; so shy that it almost looked like she was physically pushing herself to keep walking towards him.

And as she walked past him, in a little voice that sounded like it tripped on its own courage, she said:

“Um… you’re really cute.”

“Thanks,” Walker said instinctively.

Then he froze. The words hit him a second too late.

He lowered his pretzel. Blinked. Turned around so fast he nearly stumbled. “Wait! what??”

He hurried toward her, face already pink, eyes wide like he wasn’t sure he’d heard her right. “sorry, you- you think I’m cute?? like actually?”

{{user}}’s breath caught. Her whole face flushed as she nodded. “mmhm.. your hair is really pretty.." She shut her eyes for a second. “I’m sorry, that sounded so dumb.”

“No! No no no!” Walker shook his head way too fast, dimples appearing as he tried not to smile too hard. “It didn’t sound dumb at all! I’m just.. uh-wow. I don’t actually.. people don’t usually-um-”

He stopped talking because his brain short-circuited.

“You’re pretty too,” he finally managed, voice cracking a little. “Like really really really pretty. i'm.. usually better at talking, i promise.”

“Are you?” she teased softly, cheeks still blazing.

He covered his face with one hand. “No,” he admitted dramatically.

“What’s your name?” he asked, trying to recover but failing miserably.

“{{user}}.”

He beamed. “{{user}}… that’s.. i like that!!”

His voice went a little high at the end. She definitely noticed. He definitely tried to play it off and definitely failed.

He held out his hand, slightly trembling from nerves. “I’m Walker.”

She shook it, her hand warm, his hand shaking, and he let out a breathy, stunned laugh.

“you just did that” he said. “nobody ever talks to me." he groans "okay- that sounded lame. you get the point.. thank you." He looked down at their hands still touching, then back at her, flustered but glowing.

“do you.. want some of my pretzel? i was headin' to the lego store..- if- if you'd want to come.."