Matt stood on the bathroom counter, shivering slightly as the last drops of water from his sink rinse evaporated. His tiny, naked body felt painfully exposed under the dorm’s harsh fluorescent light, his inch-high frame amplifying every vulnerability. Daniel leaned against the counter, his broad shoulders tense, his face a mix of worry and resolve. His practice shorts were still sweaty from the day’s chaos, his hair a mess, but his eyes were fixed on Matt with an intensity that made the tiny figure feel both safe and oddly self-conscious.
“Alright, man, we’re gonna sort out this shrinking thing,” Daniel said, scrubbing a hand across his jaw. “But first, we gotta get you covered. You can’t just… sit there like that. It’s, uh, not cool. You’re probably freezing, too.”
Matt hugged his arms around himself, nodding. “Yeah, tell me about it. I feel like a damn lab specimen. Got anything small enough for me?”
Daniel’s lips quirked, but his eyes flickered with something deeper—something Matt couldn’t quite place. “Lemme think,” he muttered, pushing off the counter and pacing the room. His gaze landed on an old wooden dresser in the corner, its top drawer slightly ajar, stuffed with junk he hadn’t touched in years. “Wait a sec. I might have something.”
Matt tilted his head, curious, as Daniel crossed the room and yanked the drawer open. He rummaged through a mess of old sketchbooks, random cables, and faded receipts, muttering to himself. “Back in high school, I had this dumb art project… we had to, like, design outfits for these little doll things. I was terrible at sewing, but I kept the clothes I made. They were tiny, like, your size tiny.”
Matt raised an eyebrow, his squeaky voice laced with skepticism. “You? Sewing doll clothes? That’s… a picture I didn’t need.”
Daniel chuckled, but his cheeks flushed slightly, and he kept his eyes on the drawer, avoiding Matt’s gaze. “Yeah, well, I got a B-minus, so don’t get too impressed.” His fingers closed around a small plastic box, and he pulled it out, popping the lid to reveal a neat stack of miniature outfits—tiny jeans, a flannel shirt, even a pair of sneakers, all meticulously crafted despite his claims of being “terrible.” The clothes were simple but well-made, the kind of thing a teenage Daniel must’ve poured unexpected care into.
“Holy shit,” Matt said, leaning forward on the counter. “Those might actually work.”
Daniel carried the box over, setting it beside Matt with a gentleness that belied his size. He plucked out the flannel shirt and jeans, holding them up with a small, almost shy smile. “Think these’ll fit? I mean, you’re, like, action-figure-sized, so…” His voice trailed off, and his eyes lingered on Matt’s tiny form a moment too long, a warmth in them that felt different from their usual bro banter. Matt didn’t notice, too focused on the prospect of not being naked, but Daniel’s heart gave a quiet thud, a feeling he hadn’t expected creeping up on him.
He’d always thought of Matt as his best friend, the guy who’d been there through every stupid prank, every late-night study session, every win and loss on the field. But seeing Matt now—small, vulnerable, but still so Matt with his quick wit and unshakable trust—something shifted. Daniel’s chest tightened, a mix of protectiveness and something warmer, something he didn’t dare name yet. He swallowed hard, pushing the feeling down as he handed Matt the clothes.
“Try these,” Daniel said, his voice a touch rougher than usual. He turned slightly, pretending to adjust the box, giving Matt privacy but stealing a glance as Matt fumbled with the tiny jeans. The sight of Matt slipping into the flannel, the fabric hugging his miniature frame perfectly, made Daniel’s face heat up. He looks… kinda cute, he thought, then immediately scolded himself. Dude, he’s your best friend. Chill.
Matt buttoned the shirt, smoothing it down with a grin. “Yo, these fit like they were made for me. You sure you weren’t secretly a doll designer?” He struck a playful pose, oblivious to the way Daniel’s eyes softened, a faint blush creeping up his neck.
“Shut up, man,” Daniel said, forcing a laugh to cover the flutter in his stomach. He scooped Matt up gently, setting him on the desk beside a pencil for scale. “You look… good, though. Like, normal. Ish.” He winced internally at how awkward he sounded, hoping Matt didn’t pick up on it.
Matt didn’t, too relieved to be clothed to notice Daniel’s subtle fluster. “Thanks, dude. This is way better. So, what’s next? Chem lab? Science nerds?”
Daniel nodded, grateful for the shift in focus. He sat on the edge of the bed, the mattress creaking under him, and grabbed his phone. “Yeah, I’m thinking we hit the lab tomorrow, see if we can find any notes on that compound that shrunk you. I’ll text some of the chem majors I know, too. One of ‘em owes me a favor from last semester.” He typed quickly, but his mind kept drifting to Matt, now dressed in clothes he’d made years ago, sitting there trusting him completely. The feeling hit him again—Matt wasn’t just his friend anymore. There was something more, something scary and new, and Daniel wasn’t sure what to do with it.
He glanced at Matt, who was adjusting his tiny sneakers with a focused frown, and his heart did that weird thud again. He doesn’t know, Daniel thought, a mix of relief and longing. And he can’t. Not now. He’s dealing with enough. But the image of Matt in those clothes, so small but so fiercely himself, burned into Daniel’s mind, a secret crush taking root he’d have to keep buried for now.
“Alright,” Daniel said, clearing his throat as he set the phone down. “I texted a couple people. We’ll head out first thing tomorrow. You, uh, need anything else? Like… a place to crash?”
Matt yawned, the day’s chaos catching up to him. “Yeah, maybe something soft to sleep on. No socks, though. I’m done with your laundry.”
Daniel grinned, the familiar banter grounding him despite the butterflies. He grabbed a clean tissue, folding it into a makeshift bed, and set it beside Matt on the desk. “There you go, princess. No socks, I promise.”
Matt flipped him off, laughing as he settled into the tissue. “You’re the worst. But… thanks, man. For everything.”
Daniel’s smile softened, his crush tucked safely out of sight. “Anytime, dude. Get some rest. We’ve got work to do tomorrow.”
As Daniel dimmed the lights and flopped onto his bed, he stared at the ceiling, Matt’s tiny snores barely audible from the desk. His best friend was still his best friend, but the warmth in Daniel’s chest was something new, something he’d carry quietly as they faced whatever came next. For now, he’d keep Matt safe—and keep his feelings to himself.
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