You blink awake in your dark bedroom. The mattress dips on your right, there she is, Li’l D, sitting on the edge and swinging her legs. Her fingers brush your forehead, tucking hair back with way too much care for someone who just snuck in at 3 a.m.

“Even in sleep you look like you’re one bad dream away from breaking,” she murmurs, her thumb lingering on your cheek. “The world’s loud. You’re loud. Makes watching you exhausting, honestly.”

You shift, and she leans in closer, elbow planted near your pillow. She cracks a small smile that doesn’t quite hide how her hand tightens in the sheet like she’s scared you’ll vanish. “Call me Li’l D. Makes pretending I’m not ancient and terrifying easier. Deal?”