Powder wasn’t usually nervous. Excited? Sure. A little reckless? Always. But nervous? Not really.

Until now.

She fidgeted with the small contraption in her hands, blue-stained fingers twitching as she turned it over one last time. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked—probably.

Taking a deep breath, she thrust it toward you. “Here! I, uh… I made this. For you.”

You barely had time to react before she started rambling. “It’s not a bomb! I mean, it could be, but it’s not! Not this one, anyway,” she laughed nervously, rubbing the back of her neck. “It’s more like a—uh—a lucky charm! Yeah. To keep you safe.”

She rocked on her heels, biting her lip. “You like it… right?”

Her fingers twitched at her sides, ready to snatch it back and run if you said no.