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Tim didn’t have any little things of his own. He’d used all of his nerve to admit to Jon that he might be little and there was none left to ask for things. It wasn’t like he was going without entertainment, Martin was always willing to share his cars and stuffies and any other toy that may have interested Tim, but it was different from having his own things. In his opinion, he was doing an excellent job of tamping down his jealousy over Martin’s toys and hiding the looks of longing he spared when Martin would grab Tootsie the Bunny. Jon hadn’t forbidden him from asking for his own toys, that would be ridiculous, but he also hadn’t explicitly stated what could be asked for.
“Remember Martin you can get three separate cars or one theme-pack.” Tim heard Jon say. Jon had invited him on the little shopping trip earlier in the week and he’d readily agreed, the chance at getting something for himself too good to pass up. Now in the store, he walked with his hand in Jon’s, Martin was a few paces ahead with a destination already in mind. The store was quant in its style but it still advertised the most popular toys. There was an entire aisle dedicated to Hot Wheel cars and that was where Martin directed the trio before coming to a halt to behold the wall of cars before him. As he began looking through the theme packs hanging up Jon released Tim’s hand.
“You can look around if you like darling. Come find me if you see anything you like.” Tim’s ears got hot at the pet name and he only nodded before wandering off. Nothing was catching his eye in a way that outweighed his anxiety until he passed an aisle full of stuffed animals. Turning down the aise he paused, the number of choices plus the chance that one of them could be his was damn near overwhelming. Taking a deep breath he steeled himself and began perusing. The options ranged from typical to somewhat bizarre, some just seemed illogical, there was a cat that he thought Jon would have liked before remembering he was supposed to be looking for himself. He was circling the row with a turtle plush in hand when a shock of pale blue jumped out at him. Pulling it from the pile of toys it was trapped beneath he realized it was a dragon. It was a calming grayish-blue color with a darker blue velvet making up the underside of its wings. Tim rubbed the fabric with the pads of his fingers, turtle forgotten, he was at peace with his choice for a moment before the sinking realization that he was going to have to actually ask for Jon to purchase the plush crashed over him. It wasn’t like he was worried that Jon would say no, that would be cruel, and he was brave enough for something like this, he just needed a second to prepare. His musings were interrupted by Jon’s voice.
“Ah there you are Tim,” Tim startled and spun to face him, instinctively clutching the dragon to his chest as Jon came towards him with Martin in tow, “find anything you like?”
“Yeah I did,” he held out the dragon for Jon to inspect as if his approval made any difference.
“Well isn’t this charming,” Jon said as he ran his hand down the length of the plush, stopping to appreciate the velvet wings, much to Tim’s satisfaction. “Did you want this one?”
Tim nodded, “Yes please.”
“Alright then.” With those two words Jon managed to lift a weight from Tim’s heart and he broke into a wide grin. Martin came around and gave the dragon a small pat.
“Good choice Tim.”
“Thank you.”
“Did you pick anything else?” Jon asked
“Oh um no, I didn’t know if I could get anything else,” Tim admitted, Jon hummed a bit.
“I don’t see why you can’t get a few more toys. It’ll be good for you to have a few of your own. Don’t you think Martin?”
Martin nodded eagerly, “Yeah, Tim needs toys too.” Tim smiled as Marrtin grabbed his hand and dragged him off to explore the store more. In the end, in addition to his dragon, Tim had two large floor puzzles, a play science kit, his own box of crayons, a jungle-themed activity book, a stuffed Baymax, and a Hot Wheels track extension. As he and Martin helped Jon pile the items on the counter at the checkout, Martin paused and turned to him.
“Papa’s going to take your dragon but it’s okay cause he gives it right back,” he said quickly as if bringing Tim into some kind of secret. Tim nodded and handed his plushie over easily, watching as it was scanned and bagged with the rest of his new things. Once Jon paid Tim and Martin gave simultaneous thank yous and each took a bag. Outside Tim quickly dug the dragon out of his bag to carry in his other hand, he wasn’t paying much attention while they walked and didn’t realize Martin was talking to him again until Jon put a hand on his shoulder.
“Hmm yes Martin, what’d you say?”
“I said, what are you gonna name your dragon?” Oh, Tim hadn’t thought about that, he’d been pretty content calling the dragon dragon. Taking a second to actually consider he looked at his stuffie and said the first fitting name that came to him.
“Her name is Squeak.” Martin nodded and pulled on Jon’s sleeve.
“Papa, Tootsie?”
“Let’s sit down somewhere first sweet boy, then Tootsie and Squeak can be introduced properly.” They sat at a bus stop bench and Jon fetched Tootsie the bunny from the little backpack he’d brought and handed him to Martin. After smoothing the bunny’s travel ruffled fur Martin turned to Tim and held out one of Tootsie’s paws.
“Hi, I’m Tootsie the Bunny.”
Tim held out Squeak's claws to accept the handshake, “Squeak the dragon.” Jon let the two boys aquant their plushies for a few minutes before standing up.
“Alright you two, Tootsie and Squeak can get to know each other better later; we need to get home." The littles walked on either side of Jon as they headed home, eager to play with their new toys and introduce Squeak to the rest of Martin’s stuffed friends.