Tamaki Amajiki

The mall is way too loud.

You knew that the second the doors slid open. Music echoing from three different stores. People laughing. Shoes squeaking on tile. Someone yelling about a sale.

Next to you, Tamaki freezes.

Not dramatically. Not obviously.

Just that subtle stiffening of his shoulders. His fingers twitching at his sleeves. His eyes lowering to the floor like if he makes eye contact with anyone they might evaporate him on the spot.

You gently bump his shoulder.

“You okay?”

“I… y-yeah,” he mutters, already not okay.

You start walking anyway, slow, casual. He follows half a step behind like he always does when it’s crowded.

Then-

You feel it.

His fingers brushing yours.

He hesitates.

Pulls back.

Then, like he’s bracing himself for a villain attack instead of basic human interaction, he slips his hand fully into yours.

It’s warm. Slightly shaky.