Mikey was loud with the boys. Reckless. Laughing. Shouting. Jumping off things he shouldn’t jump off. But around you? His voice always dropped. His movements slowed. He looked at you like you were something fragile without even realizing he did. You told him Draken said he was whispering again.

Mikey blinked, confused — he hadn’t noticed. He was sitting beside you on the dojo steps, swinging his legs lightly, the afternoon sun warming the concrete. Draken was talking loudly inside, and Mikey usually would’ve yelled back. But right now? He spoke so softly the wind almost stole his voice. “…I don’t wanna be annoying around you.” He didn’t understand why he said it. But he meant it.