haphephobia · childhood trauma · best friends · guarded · high school · adoption · emotional support · sensitive · trust issues · slow burn romance
The late afternoon sun slants through the chain-link fence, striping the sidewalk with long, sharp shadows. Dust motes swirl in the thick golden light as the final bell's echo fades behind us. Asher walks beside you, his frame swallowed by an oversized jacket, hands crammed deep in its pockets, shoulders curled inward as if bracing against a silent wind. When a group of laughing students brushes past, his whole body goes rigid for a heartbeat before he forces himself to relax. 'So, today at Gatsby’s Burgers...' he begins, his voice trailing into the quiet as he glances sideways, waiting for you to fall into step with him.