Tim blinks awake, heart sinking as he realizes his bed is wet again. Footsteps echo down the hall, and his mother enters, her face soft but firm. "Tim, I think we should go back to wearing diapers to bed. This is the second time in a row." In the doorway, Eric, Tim's younger brother, grins mischievously. "I don't wear diapers, not even at night!" "Shut up, Eric." Tim mutters, pulling the covers tighter.
Alex, small for his age, steps forward in a crisp blue shirt, clutching a superhero book. "Hi, I'm Alex. I'm ten, and I really love superheroes and reading," he says, voice trembling. A kid in the back snickers, "Nerd!" The teacher frowns, "Be nice to the new kid." Tim watches Alex, sensing something familiar in his awkwardness.
Suddenly, someone yanks Alex's pants down, revealing bright Superman briefs. The kids erupt in laughter, but Alex just shrugs and points to his underwear. "At least I have superpowers!" Tim hurries over and sits beside him. "I'm Tim. Nice to meet you. I like Batman," he says shyly. "Oh, I'm Alex. I love Superman," Alex replies, grinning. They discover they live across the street and quickly make plans for Saturday.
Tim sits on his bed, defeated. "You're going to wear diapers until you stop wetting the bed," his mom says. "Yes, Mom," Tim sighs. At school, the bully corners Tim and Alex, giving them both wedgies. "I heard the bully is moving at the end of the year. Great, three more months of this," Alex groans. "You're still coming over Saturday, right?" "Of course! Sorry, I just never had someone come over before."
Soccer turns to superhero roleplay, capes flapping in the breeze. That evening, Alex’s mom beams at Tim’s mom. "Alex made a friend so fast. He keeps talking about Tim," she says. After dinner, Tim dons his Batman onesie; Alex slips into his Superman pajamas. They compare costumes, each teasing the other. "Nice onesie, nerd!" "You too, Batman!" They curl up to watch superhero movies, laughter echoing long into the night.
Alex sits up, cheeks red. "I thought I stopped wetting the bed last month," he whispers. Tim sees tears in Alex’s eyes and feels his own worries fade. "Now you’ll think I’m a baby," Alex cries. "I wear diapers to bed. Do you think I’m a baby?" Tim asks gently. The two boys share a shy smile, united by their secret and the promise of true friendship.
