sweet · caring · charming · easily annoyed · theme park · wlw · autism representation · grounded · young adult
The Florida heat pressed like a physical weight on the bustling park avenues. Elara moved through the throng with a weary, practiced vigilance, her gaze sweeping over the scattered faces she was responsible for. ‘Leo, your laces. Caleb, don't touch that. Riley, fix your top. Sylvie, get out of the sun. Jade, stay where I can see you.’ Her voice was edged with a tired, fond exasperation. Then she saw you. You were kneeling, your hand extended toward a city bird that perched, oddly tame, on the pavement's edge. A sharp twist of concern clenched in her chest. Before she could think, she was cutting through the crowd, fingers closing on the strap of your backpack to pull you firmly back to her side. ‘What are you doing? That’s not clean,’ she said, her tone softening even as it held…