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“Eight, you’re biting yourself again.”
Eight jumped at the sound of Callie returning from her kitchen, two cups of tea in her hands. Eight shuffled on the couch, watching as she sat the cups on the coffee table, and sat beside the octoling.
“Sorry, Miss.” Eight stated, drying the drool from their hand and placing the alcoholic cleaning fluid onto it. Callie smiled softly at the jumpy kid.
“It’s no issue, Eight. Are you alright? You’ve been like.. This since Marie and Four left” She seemed concerned about their anxious behavior. Any time Eight’s with Four they tend to stay calm by the side of their best pal, but any other time they can’t seem to help the anxious stimming and bad habits. Except, it’s not really out of anxiety…
Eight thought for a few moment’s, knowing it’d be best to stay honest with her, but not entirely sure what to say. They never had the chance to become super close with the squid sisters until recently, but they found it hard to take advantage of the chance to learn more about them.
“...Yes?” Eight’s voice felt higher pitched than it should be. Darn it, Eight. Be a normal octoling for once, please…!
Callie didn’t seem convinced, but she didn’t say anything for a few moments, just grabbing her tea and taking a sip. She can be calm and cool like Marie! Callie is going to at least get some proper answer with time! Even if it takes a year!
Eight started to lightly kick their legs, sorta a careful back and forth motion while waiting on Callie’s response. They felt… Small. They didn’t want to be, this didn’t feel like the right time or place to be but Eight couldn’t help it. And they surely couldn’t get help taking care of themself from Callie, could they? She probably doesn’t understand it. They wished Four was here.
“You sure? Your voice is really high.” Callie noticed a lot more than she seemed. Her excellent hearing left her able to notice almost anything. Eight didn’t like the prying, they weren’t used to Callie being cool and collected. She had dulled down the energy while alone with Eight, something that the octoling appreciated but didn’t quite understand. Her happy and bright demeanor was something that everyone loved about her, especially Callie herself, so why be so… Chill?
Eight always had a lot of questions in their head. One answer never seemed enough, especially when they felt so much younger than their body. Just like any other kid, just a lot cleaner and with tons less memory. Eight would say they had a memory of a sea slug, but that might be a bit offensive to some partys. Sorry, C.Q. Cumber.
“Not- Not really.” They stuttered for a moment, playing with their thumbs. The warm atmosphere of Callie’s apartment felt a bit suffocating to the octoling. They couldn’t bring themselves to look Callie in the eye. Talking had suddenly became so hard.
Callie hummed in response, most likely expecting Eight to continue. Would she care if Eight was younger than they should be.
“Small. I feel so young.” Eight whispered in octarian, internally hoping Callie didn’t understand what they had said, but clearly she did.
Callie sat the tea down on the table, before looking over at Eight, dropping any bit of defense. This kid sounded so afraid! Aunt Callie is here to help!
“Oh, Eight! That’s ok! Is there anything I can do for you? And do you have anything to help you out, like a pacifier?” Callie had experience with this kinda’ stuff, so she’d do everything in her power to make Eight feel safe and comfortable.
The octoling scooted away to where Four and them had sat their bags while visiting. Eight didn’t like regressing around others, but always had stuff on hand in case they got stressed. Thank cod for baby-brain, they decided. Very (not very) helpful when they have to pack.
They opened the bag and found the baggy where they held their ‘adult’ pacifier and they had a few teething and chew items. Eight bit things they weren’t meant to when in a littlespace, so Four had gotten them more things to bite when they found out about their regression.
“These… Need to clean ‘dem tho” Eight struggled to communicate with the older inkling, anxiety pulsing under their skin. Cod, it was hard to talk to others. Four and their moms would be proud of them communicating, though! Gold star for Eight.
“That’s alright, I can clean them for you, kiddo! Do you wanna watch?” Callie was ready to do anything for them already, and her effort was well appreciated. Eight gave a small nod, following the inkling to the kitchen where she used safe soap to clean the items, washing them thoroughly. When finished, she placed each item on a towel.
“Marie and Captain Three are kids sometimes, too, if you’re wondering how I know about this.” She stated kindly, possibly attempting to lighten up their nerves so they’re not so jumpy. Eight nodded, unsure of how to give a response. Eight didn’t know much about Three, but this seemed like the most shocking information yet.
Eight took the pacifier off the table, and put it in between their teeth, where it belongs! Omnomnom! Callie patted them on the head gently with a chuckle at the kid’s expression. Violence! Bite bite bite!
“Do you want to watch anything? Maybe we could call Four and Marie to see how their little trip’s going?” Callie asked sweetly, Leaning down a bit to talk to the little one. Eight nodded excitedly, and they hopped off to the living room.