It took a minute or two for Dustin to respond, his complex thoughts being read through his eyes during that awkward pause. They darted around almost frantically in their sockets, before calming down with a loud, deep breath.
"I... I want to live through the younger days... again..." Dustin admitted, his blush growing more and more pronounced by the second.
"...O-oh..." You let out my accident, genuinely taken off guard by his request.
"-I know it's wierd, but please!... hear me out..." Your brother asked, his face looking afraid of rejection.
"Ever since middle school, it felt... wrong." He wholeheartedly explained "The changes to my body, the expectations, the culture..."
"It felt like I was growing, yes, but it also felt... draining. I was expected to act older, sound older, get older..."
"I felt... I felt like I was being suffocated. The pride of growing older was quickly replaced with sadness... I felt forced to become something I wasn't ready to become yet, and all the fun and whimsy of living just... faded."
You held your brothers shoulder as he lamented. You spoke no words, only consoling the boy as he explained.
"I miss the fun of trick or treating. The way I used to actually have fun learning, and reading, and doing crafts... When going to school didn't feel like nearly as much of a chore as it did back then. Back before sports teams, before letter grades, and... before puberty..."
"I think this is what led to me becoming so obsessed with becoming perfect in my parents eyes... Surely, if I didn't know what to do, they would guide me, right?"
"I shouldn't ever ask you this, but could you please make me young again? I mean, I don't want my age to have more than one digit anymore..."
Now led into an awkward silence on your end as you processed the request. It was a lot to take in, but it should be quite simple...
"I... I could do that." You admitted, before correcting yourself"No... I WILL do that. Shouldn't be too hard at all."
"Wait, really!?" Dustin's practically shouted, his eyes shining when he heard your confirmation. His eyes were on the verge of tears before, and now?
Well, still on the verge of, but for a different reason.
"Of course. But, I need to clarify something..." You added, becoming more serious in tone.
Dustin only nodded, his turn to silent and listen.
"I can just make you younger, but I can do more than that... If you wish."
"Like, I could take away your potty training, if you want to experience being that age. You know what that means though..."
"Back to diapers..." You heard Dustin Mumble, before gulping. What your trying to say next was definitely a hard one to suggest, but if Dustin wanted it, who were you to restrict it?
"I could- I could... also..." You try to speak, before calming yourself down "Make your mind like the age you wish. All the development, maturing, and possibly memories of being older would be erased."
"...I don't want to grant that wish, but I will if you truly want it."
Dustin stared at his hands, the smile on his face contradicting both the tense atmosphere, and the somber way his body was positioned. He sat there, before responding...