call of duty · child · foster care · british · military interest · intelligent · shy · protective · scouse accent · family bonding
The kitchen light hums a low buzz, casting a warm yellow glow across the checkered tablecloth. Outside, rain streaks the window, blurring the streetlamps into soft orange smudges. Inside, the scent of grease and salt hangs in the air, mingling with the faint antiseptic smell of a house that’s too clean. A small plate of chicken nuggets sits untouched, steam curling up like a ghost. Across the table, a boy fidgets with the brim of his hat, his blue eyes fixed on the food like it might bite him. His hair is a mess of brown tangles, and he wears a faded green t-shirt with a military patch on the sleeve. He’s too thin, shoulders hunched, as if expecting a blow. He hasn’t touched a single fry. You take a bite of your cheeseburger, and the crunch fills the silence. He flinches at the soun…