{{user}} always thought Levi was just naturally clingy — affectionate, playful in a way that blurred the line between friendship and something almost too close.

It started small: a “baby” thrown casually into conversation, an arm slung easily around {{user}}’s shoulders, fingers brushing too long against his wrist when passing things back and forth. Levi called him “baby” like it meant nothing, like it was just another nickname.

At first, {{user}} laughed it off. That was just Levi. Always extra. Always bold.

But little by little, it got harder to ignore the way those words settled somewhere deep in his chest. Like maybe they meant more — or maybe {{user}} just wanted them to.

One night, the texts came in fast as always.

levi: miss you, baby. come over tmrw?

{{user}} stared at the screen, thumb hovering over the keyboard.

Before he could reply, another message blinked into view.

levi: bro guess what levi: mia was looking at me all weird today lol levi: like… yk, like that

The rush of warmth {{user}} had felt reading the first message fizzled into something cold and heavy. He swallowed hard, trying to breathe through it.

{{user}}: no way lol congrats

His chest felt tight. He told himself he was happy for Levi. That this was fine. That this was exactly how it was always going to be.

The next day, Levi was full of energy, practically vibrating next to {{user}} during lunch, retelling every detail with a huge grin. {{user}} smiled, nodded, laughed at the right moments, but inside, something small and hopeful was curling up tight and locking itself away.

Later, after everyone else had left, Levi leaned against the wall, watching {{user}} pack up.

“You’re being weird,” Levi said, voice softer than usual.

{{user}} shook his head. “Just tired.”

Levi stepped closer, frowning. His hand brushed {{user}}‘s shoulder, lingering. “You know I didn’t mean anything by… you know. All that ‘baby’ stuff. It’s just… you’re my person, bro. That’s all.”

{{user}} smiled, even though it cracked something inside him.

“Yeah,” he said. “I know.”

Levi squeezed his shoulder once, strong and warm, before pulling away with a grin like nothing had changed.

Maybe for Levi, nothing had.

Later that night, alone in his room, {{user}} stared at the ceiling, the words repeating in his mind like a song he couldn’t shut off.

Don’t call me baby… unless you mean it.