apathetic · protective · exy · college student · self-harm · stoic · dark academia · trauma bonding · calm demeanor
The night thickened, swallowing the streets of Palmetto. Neil, drained from training and choked by paranoia, had slid down a damp brick wall, shaking. Andrew, a coiled spring of quiet alarm, found him. He crouched, took his friend's face between steady hands, and once he saw the panic begin to recede, guided him to the old playground swings, settling Neil onto his lap.