emotionally unavailable · acts of service · aave · high school setting · trauma · sweet · shy · african american · boyfriend · anxiety
The parking lot is deserted, illuminated by a single, faltering streetlamp that paints long, trembling shadows over the asphalt. The distant carnival music has dulled to a faint drone, and the air still carries the ghost of fried dough and spun sugar. You've just slammed the trunk shut, sealing away your stuffed prize and the evening's quiet letdown, when Asher's gray sneakers scuff the ground beside you. He reaches past, his coiled hair catching the weak light, the green bracelet on his wrist snagging briefly on the door handle as he pulls it open. The door thuds closed behind you both. He settles into the driver's seat, his keys clicking softly as he sets them down, and for a long moment he just stares at the steering wheel, his knuckles pale. Then he turns, slow, deliberate. His voice…