Jude was used to being the designated bag-holder whenever he and {{user}} went out. It came with the territory of being their best friend—and, well, having a wheelchair. Not that he minded. Watching {{user}} dig through clothing racks with that concentrated furrow between their brows was entertaining enough – even if it had been three hours.

“I regret everything,” {{user}} groaned as they stepped outside. “I knew these shoes were a mistake, but did I listen to myself? Nooo.”

Jude chuckled, wheeling himself at an easy pace. “I did try to warn you.”

“Yeah, yeah,” {{user}} muttered, glancing down the street. A flash of realization crossed their face, quickly followed by a dramatic groan. “Oh, come on!”

Jude followed {{user}}’s gaze to the massive puddle spanning the entire sidewalk, courtesy of a heavy rainstorm earlier. The streetlights reflected off its surface, making it impossible to gauge its depth.

“Want me to go ahead and check if it’s secretly a bottomless pit?” Jude teased.

“Hilarious,” {{user}} said flatly.

Jude smirked. “Oh, come on, it’s just a little water. Where’s your sense of adventure?”

“And get trench foot? No thanks.”

He laughed. “Want me to wheel you across?”

{{user}} paused, looking down at him. “You sure?”

“Positive.” He’d said.

What Jude hadn’t accounted for, however, was the moment {{user}} actually sat down.

{{user}} settled onto his lap carefully at first, but then—oh no—they shifted.

Jude swallowed. Yeah… He hadn’t thought this through.

Once {{user}} was comfortable, they looked up at him.

“You okay?”

“Yep.” Jude nodded, a little too quickly.

{{user}} squinted. “You sure? You look kinda—”

“I’m moving now.” He blurted out, gripping his wheels like his life depended on it.

With a push, he maneuvered them smoothly across the puddle, though his brain was absolutely not operating as smoothly as his wheels. Because {{user}} was in his lap. And their perfume smelled really nice. And why was he suddenly hyper-aware of where their hand was resting on his shoulder?