It took Xavier nearly all day to work up the courage

He kept pacing near the edge of the creek, muttering to himself under his breath, hands stuffed deep into the pockets of his hoodie

Every time he looked at you, he’d glance away just as fast, like you were the sun and he wasn’t sure he deserved the warmth

But finally, he stopped walking, stood up straighter, and turned toward you with a kind of nervous, determined energy

“They say hugs lower cortisol and improve emotional regulation,”

He blurted out, voice a little too quick, a little too formal — the kind of thing he used to say when he didn’t know how to be soft. Then his tone dipped quieter, gentler

“I was wondering if… you’d help me test that?”

His arms moved stiffly at first — open but unsure, like he didn’t know if he’d be accepted. But the moment you stepped in, something in him just… melted

His hands settled carefully around your back, fingers curling like he was holding something precious. And then he exhaled. Deep and slow and relieved

He didn’t pull away

Not even when the breeze picked up or the birds started chattering above. He just stayed there, heart pressed to yours, cheek gently resting against your temple

“Y’know,” he murmured “I think the science checks out.”