When you come up with the courage to ask your boyfriend, Caleb, for a plushie to keep with your at night, he looks at you like you've just propositioned him to enter a polyamorous relationship with a third person.
But your eyes are sparkling, and your smile is lovely, so he lets out an "alright" before he even realizes.
So now, not only does he have to live with the knowledge of you sleeping with someone something else, but he has to choose it, too.
Yeah, Caleb doesn't really appreciate this kind of irony.
To make matters worse, it doesn't look like Gideon is willing to be helpful in figuring out a solution.
"just buy a plushie that looks like you."
How is Caleb supposed to explain that he doesn't want you hugging a plushie instead of him without looking like a lunatic? It's tricky.
So he pretends to forget, for the time being.
And you, on your part, pretend that Caleb is able to forget something that is about you. Every now and again, though, you slow down when walking past a toy shop, staring and the articles on display.
Sometimes, you even ask him, "What do you think of that one, Caleb? It's cute, isn't it?"
Caleb hums and nods, white knuckles and a tight smile.
He reaches a breaking point after going shopping with you and having to witness his girlfriend hug various plushies to figure out 'which one fit right'.
"I just want to explain how I feel without looking like an asshole."
"You are being one, though." Gideon's reply comes quicker than normal.
Caleb can barely keep from punching his shoulder.
"you are being selfish and you can't even see it."
With a tired sigh and a rub of his eyes, Gideon turns around to face Caleb, squaring himself as if he was about to explain long division to a toddler.
"we are gone for long periods of time. Your girlfriend is not trying to replace you. She just wants something to keep with herself when you're not there. That's why it's so important that you choose it."
Understanding dawns upon Caleb and his friend grins. "Do you get it now?"
That night, when you open the door to your flat, you don't see your boyfriend. Instead, you come face to face with a plushie version of him, clad in uniform and everything.
Caleb does appear from behind, grinning while holding the toy: "Here you go! Your very own, very exclusive, limited edition Caleb plushie!"
You let out a squeal and immediately grab it, hugging it tight to your chest. "He's perfect!"
Caleb, who's let himself inside, sneaks his arms between you and well, the smaller version of him.
"ah, ah, ah. Let's agree on one rule first: tiny Caleb" he points at it, "will retire once big Caleb comes back."
Rolling your eyes at your jealous boyfriend, you agree, but not before stamping a kiss on both their foreheads.
