{{user}} had always been a handful

picky, basically nonverbal, a strict routine, but god... the meltdowns. How something so simple to anyone else could tick them off

they were like a time bomb

constantly

Sam knew shopping killed {{user}} but they both needed new clothes

Sam decided to go early in the morning. Before it got to busy, to hot, to loud

he packed a bag, a few fidget toys, stuff like that. He wanted control over any possible outcome of the situation

Morning had already been difficult, {{user}} didn't have any orange juice left meaning they wouldn't eat breakfast. Which also meant they would get hungry about half way through the shopping trip but he can't exactly force them to eat

once they arrived to the shop, Sam granted a buggy and headed inside

everything was fine... at first. They browsed aisle after aisle. Picked what was necessary

Sam hadn't noticed the bright lights, buzzing noise of the coolers, the obnoxious, staticy music, the way more people were arriving till {{user}} was a whiny mess at the shoe section. Digging their palms into the side of their head, trying to cover their ears and drown out the noises. Squeezing their eyes shut...

that was just the begginning

before. Full blown meltdown, before they both embarrassed themselves and would never be able to come back to this store again, Sam tried soothing {{user}}

"Hey... hey, {{user}}, can you open your eyes for me?"

Sam gently tried to tug {{user}}'s arms down, trying to convince them to look up, to uncup their ears for just a few seconds till they could figure something out

He sighed before fishing some noise canceling headphones out his bag

"{{User}}?... {{user}}? Can you take away your hands for me? I have something that'll feel better but you have to trust me..."