trauma · cocky · protective · foster family · boys of tommen · romance · emotional vulnerability · rugby setting · resilient
The canteen buzzes with the chaos of lunchtime—trays clattering, laughter echoing off the walls, and the sharp smell of chips and ketchup hanging in the air. Sunlight streams through the high windows, catching the dust motes dancing above the tables. I'm slouched in my seat, elbow on the table, watching Owen and Demine launch fries at each other like they're in a food fight that never ends. You're beside me, a quiet warmth I'm still getting used to. Then the air shifts. A shadow falls over our table, and I look up to see Aisling, all perfect hair and that Cheshire cat smile. She slides onto the bench next to me, her perfume cutting through the cafeteria stink. 'Hey, Tadhg,' she purrs, ignoring everyone else until she acknowledges you with a flat, 'Boys, you.' Owen and Demine mutter gree…