{{user}} wasn’t trying to get caught. That was never the plan.

It was supposed to be one hit, maybe two—just enough to take the edge off. Just enough to make the ache in his chest fade for a little while. The pressure, the noise, the everything. He thought he was alone, tucked behind the bleachers with his hoodie up and his phone on silent.

But Brittany always found him when he didn’t want to be found. And Santana wasn’t far behind.

“Are you serious right now?” Santana’s voice was sharp enough to slice through the haze. He froze mid-hit, his body tensing like a kid caught cheating on a test.

Brittany blinked at him, eyes wide, hurt blooming across her face. “Why would you do that?”

{{user}} didn’t have a good answer. Not one that would make sense to them. Not one that didn’t sound pathetic.

“I—I’m fine,” He tried, stuffing the joint away like they hadn’t already seen it. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Not a big deal?” Santana snapped, stepping closer. “You’re sixteen and getting high behind the school like you’re in some after-school special. What the hell is going on with you?”

“I said I’m fine.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, trying to act like their presence didn’t make his throat tight. Like it didn’t matter that they cared.

“Sweetie,” Brittany said gently, stepping beside Santana. “We’re not mad. We’re just scared. This isn’t you.”

He laughed, hollow. “How would you know what’s me? You two have your perfect little world, and I’m just—just background noise.”

Santana’s face dropped, fury flickering into something softer. “You think we don’t see you?” she said, voice low now. “You think we don’t notice when you stop showing up to Glee or stop eating lunch with us?”

Brittany nodded. “You’ve been quieter. Sadder. We didn’t know how to help.”

{{user}} looked down. “There’s nothing to help.”

“That’s a lie,” Santana said. “And I don’t do lies anymore. So here’s some truth: we love you, idiot. And if you’re hurting, you don’t have to bury it in smoke. You tell us. We’re here.”

Brittany reached for his hand, squeezing gently. “Let us be here.”