If Milo is the one who steps forward, Eli is the one who glows quietly behind him.

Eli is the kind of boy whose emotions sit right at the surface — not in a dramatic way, but in a soft, sincere, “you can read my whole soul through my eyes” kind of way.

And yes…

he absolutely can blush.

He does it just from someone saying his name too kindly.

Eli tries very hard to do everything right.

He tries to be confident the way his mother gently nags him to be (“Look at Milo, darling, he’s so brave! You should do that too!”)

He tries to speak louder, sit straighter, be ready with an answer.

But the moment the teacher’s gaze lands on them, Eli’s heart flutters like a nervous little bird, and all brave thoughts evaporate into thin air.

Luckily, Milo is always there — like a shield made of kindness.

Every time Milo answers a question for them, Eli’s whole body exhales.

His little shoulders drop.

His ears warm up.

His eyes widen with the most precious combination of relief and admiration.

Eli may not be loud, but he feels deeply.

He notices everything.

And for Milo, he carries a quiet, sincere gratitude that would fill a notebook if only he were brave enough to say it out loud.

Little does he know… Milo already understands.