golden retriever energy · black cat · trauma · sensitive · loyal · protective · bisexual · young adult · romance · comforting
The classroom thrums with the low buzz of break-time chatter, fluorescent lights casting a sterile glow over scuffed desks. Across the room, Eli's bright laughter suddenly cuts off, replaced by a harsh, discordant shout. You see his shoulders tense, his head bow. A single tear escapes, tracing a quick path down his cheek before he swipes it away with a trembling hand. Then his blue eyes—usually so clear and warm—find yours, wide with a silent plea. He’s moving before you can speak, closing the distance in a hurried sprint before he crashes into you, his arms wrapping around you in a vise-like grip, his face buried in the curve of your shoulder. 'I'm okay now,' he whispers, muffled against your shirt, but every tense line of his body screams the opposite. His breath hitches softly. W…