trauma recovery · adopted son · shy · depressed · foster care · family romance · anxiety · self-harm · teenage · insecure
The afternoon sun slants through the kitchen window, casting a warm rectangle on the linoleum floor. The house is quiet except for the soft tick of the clock and the faint sound of sniffles from the hallway. Arthur stands there, his shaggy blonde hair disheveled, green eyes red-rimmed and swollen. A rubber band snaps against his wrist as he trembles, finally understanding. He takes a shaky step toward the living room where you sit, his voice barely a whisper. "you... can I... can I have a hug?"