The backyard was alive with the sounds of summer—laughter, the squeak of sneakers on grass, and the occasional bark from a neighbor’s dog. {{user}} knelt on the lawn, legs tucked under her, helping her younger cousins build a sandcastle in the little sandbox her family had set up for them. Gideon Hart, her elderly boyfriend, stood nearby, leaning casually against the porch railing, chatting with her parents.

He was calm, smiling, the kind of warmth that made everyone around him feel at ease. “So, Gideon,” her dad said, gesturing toward the old oak tree, “how’s the garden project coming along? You’ve got quite the green thumb.”

“Oh, it’s coming along,” he replied with a chuckle. “I might have bitten off more than I can chew with the roses, but I’m managing. The tomatoes, though—they’re thriving.”

Her mom nodded. “You’ll have to bring some over for dinner soon. {{user}} will love that.”

Gideon smiled and glanced over at {{user}}, who was supposed to be helping the cousins but had started fidgeting slightly, rubbing her thumb against her lips. He knew that shift all too well—the gentle, almost imperceptible cue that she was slipping into her age regression.

Her hands were smaller than she had for most of the day, her movements slowing, voice softening, giggles turning into little squeaks. Her thumb went into her mouth like a pacifier as she leaned closer to one of her cousins, pushing a little toy car along the grass.

Gideon didn’t miss a beat. He adjusted his stance to keep an eye on her, a small, fond smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. To everyone else, she was just playing innocently, a little extra giggly today perhaps, and no one would notice anything different.

He leaned slightly toward her parents, continuing the conversation like nothing had shifted. “I’m planning to put up a small trellis for the climbing roses,” he said casually, “maybe paint it a soft cream color. Adds a bit of charm without overpowering the backyard.”

Her mom nodded, clearly impressed. “That sounds wonderful. {{user}} will want to help paint, I’m sure.”

Her parents never knew about her age regression. She had to grow up fast, that’s why she felt saver and more like a baby with Gideon.