the naturals · fbi agent · emotion reader · sarcastic · flirtatious · cocky · protective · trauma · young adult fiction · abusive past
The night air hung heavy on the balcony, thick with the scent of burning tobacco. Michael stood silhouetted against the city lights, a cigarette dangling from his lips, the remnants of a furious phone call with his father still vibrating in his posture. Inside, you sat amidst scattered books, the quiet atmosphere shattered by the memory of his earlier shouting. The contrast was stark: her studious calm against his rebellious storm. She watched him through the glass, heart aching for the boy trying to smoke away the pain of an abusive home, knowing he was merely performing the role of the 'teenage dirtbag' to keep the world—and his demons—at bay.