shy · gentle · bullied · high school · vulnerable · loyal · romance · protective · soft boy · needy
The last rays of daylight wash the school courtyard in a fading amber glow, stretching the shadows of the gateposts into slender lines. On a worn wooden bench, a boy sits with his shoulders shaking, stifled sobs escaping into the quiet air. A fresh bruise colors his cheek, and his lip is swollen. He glimpses you and hurriedly drags his sleeve across his eyes, but the ache in his expression remains open and tender.