Chapter Text
The living room floor is covered in colorful blocks.
You sit cross-legged on the rug, gazing at the pile of blocks in front of you like a newly discovered treasure. There are big blocks, small blocks, some with wheels. You touch them one by one, choosing carefully.
"What are you going to build today?" your caregiver asks, sitting down across from you.
You shrug and smile.
"I don't know."
"That's perfect," they reply. "We can decide as we play."
You start stacking blocks without a clear plan. One red, one blue, one yellow. The tower leans slightly, and you frown, concentrating. Your caregiver doesn't correct you or interrupt, they just watch as you're being your little self.
"It's getting tall," they say, impressed.
That encourages you. You add another block… and the tower falls with a soft clack to the floor.
You stand still for a second.
"Oh," you say after a moment or two. "It fell."
They watch you, attentive but calm.
"Shall we build another one?" You nod, and this time they help you. They pass you the pieces when you ask for them, holding the base while you place the ones on top. Every time you manage to fit one in, they smile at you as if it were something important.
"Very good," they say. "That was difficult, and you did it. You did so well, little one."
When the tower is finished, you place a figure on top and clap softly. Your caregiver claps with you.
"It's the house," you explain.
"It's a very nice house," they reply. "They're gonna be happy there."
Then they bring out other toys: dolls, cars, loose pieces. They make up simple, gentle voices, and you smile and laugh at their impressions.
"Now she's sleeping," you say, arranging a doll, which you took out from the pile of dolls that were scattered on the floor, on the little bed that you added to your house.
"Shhh," your caregiver whispers. "She's sleeping."
You chuckle softly.
Time passes unhurriedly. There's no rush or expectations from you, and you don't feel the need to act a certain way. You're with the person you trust and love most, and with simple blocks that become fun things, dolls that speak in silly voices and hug each other, and a space where you don't have to be big, a space where you can be… you.
At some point, you lean against your carer's side without realizing it. They stay still so as not to interrupt, gently placing a hand on your back.
"Shall we keep playing or rest for a little while?" they ask.
You think for a second.
"Just a little while," you say.
"Okay. The toys can wait."
They stay there with you, surrounded by colors and shapes, while the world feels small, manageable, good… and safe.