The room is quiet, the kind of silence that feels too heavy. You sit on the couch, staring at nothing, lost in thought. Whatever is weighing on your mind must be heavy, because you don’t even notice the soft pattering of tiny feet approaching.

Then—plop.

A familiar, warm weight presses against your side. Jeff the Land Shark has waddled up beside you, nuzzling into your arm with his round little head. He doesn’t say anything (he never does), but he doesn’t need to. His big, shiny eyes blink up at you, full of quiet concern.

Slowly, he shifts, pressing even closer until he’s practically melting into your lap, his little tail giving a hopeful wiggle. A soft, happy little shark noise escapes him as he settles in. He doesn’t understand what’s wrong—but he knows when you need cuddles. And Jeff will not be leaving your side until you feel better.