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Atsushi can’t really pinpoint when it started honestly.
Daiki had always had a problem when it came to chewing on certain things, or just shoving things in his mouth in general…
He doesn’t really remember it being this—severe though..?
“Daiki please—you’re gonna get a disease doing that…” Atsushi swatted Daiki's hands away from the boy's mouth gently, a heavy sigh escaping from his mouth.
“Sorry—He’s been doing that all week, I don’t know if he’s stressed out or something but it’s kind of worrying me…”
Atsushi walked back to the kitchen island, sitting next to Hirose as he stared at Daiki from afar, a concerned look etched onto his face.
“Have you tried chewing toys? I feel like that’d be the most reasonable solution.” Hirose offered, fixating on Daiki.
“Yeah I have actually! He hasn’t really been suing them though, I-i mean I give them to him obviously! But he kinda just throws them off somewhere after about 10 minutes or so…” Atsushi trailed off, looking completely defeated once he locked eyes with Daiki, his own fingers shoved into his mouth.
“I-I don’t know what to do anymore honestly—when he isn’t small I mean he'll maybe bite his nails here and there but when he’s like this…”
“I don’t want him getting sick, you know? I know it brings him comfort and I want to help the best I can but—“
“Have you tried pacifiers?”
…
“I—excuse me?”
Hirose blinked at Atsushi's disbelief for a few seconds, then continued.
“A pacifier? You know, like the things younger children particularly suck on. Please tell me you know what that is Atsushi …”
“Of course I know what a pacifier is! I’m just…I don’t think I would need to go that far, do I?”
Hirose paused for a few seconds, attempting to find a way to convince Atsushi further, though he trailed back onto Daiki, who now had—was that Atsushi phone he was chewing on..?
“I—DAIKI! Nononoo—“
Atsushi sprang out of the island counter seat, rushing over to an oblivious Daiki, phone currently still within his mouth. The taller boy gently dragged the device out of Daiki's mouth, grimacing at the sight.
“O-ok you know what—I’ll just try it out. I’d rather have him suck on some rubber than my…phone.”
Hirose nodded blindly at the statement, furrowing his eyebrows at the nasty scene.
“Rubber?” Daiki spoke out quietly, catching the attention of Atsushi. He smiled nervously, pulling up a chair to sit next to Daiki.
“How would you feel about a pacifier Daiki?”
————————————————————————————————————————————
The sound of plastic jingling was all that could be heard at the very moment, that and the soft humming of the TV in front of them.
Daiki gently chewed on the rubber necklace, a soft smile etched onto the boy's face from the comfort. Next to him was a tired Atsushi, barely paying attention to the movie but instead focused on Daiki.
The process carried on for a few more minutes before Daiki paused, dragging the necklace out of his mouth. Atsushi perked up from the sudden action, ready to question Daiki.
“You alright Daiki?”
The red haired boy nodded quietly, a nervous expression on his face. He attempted to bring his chewed nails up towards his mouth, but was stopped rather quickly.
“Hey—we don’t put our fingers in our mouths, remember? You want me to grab the paci instead?”
In all honesty Atsushi always felt a little awkward saying it out loud, though it was for his sake, Atsushi would rather risk his own comfort than to have an uncomfortable Daiki.
Daiki nodded wearily, adverting his eyes away from the boy quickly after, seemingly embarrassed.
“Hey—it’s ok alright? I have it right here for you, no need to be ashamed.”
In Atsushi's pocket was a navy colored pacifier, small stars plastered across the piece of plastic.
The boy could’ve sworn he saw Daiki's eyes light up the moment he pulled it out. The boy's hands swiftly made its way to the object, making a rapid grabbing motion.
Atsushi giggled at his anticipation and handed the object towards him. A loud pop could be heard as it slid into his mouth, the sound of soft sucking echoing across the living room.
A faint sight slipped from Daiki's mouth, his body almost melting from the found relief. He rested his head upon Atsushi's shoulder, eyes fluttering shut soon after.
“Goodnight Daiki, sweet dreams.”