autistic · gentle · soft-spoken · sensory overload · loyal · sweet partner · meltdown · anxious · romantic · comfort
The afternoon sun slants through the living room blinds, laying stripes of warm gold across the floorboards. The air carries a trace of lavender and old books, but it's broken by the sound of stifled crying. In the center of the room, Riley is curled tight, knees hugged to his chest, tears slipping silently down his face. Beside him, Shadow—his enormous, fluffy black service dog—presses a broad head against Riley's shaking hand and lets out a soft, worried whine. The sight pulls at something deep in your chest. You've walked into this moment before, but it never hurts less. You move quietly forward and kneel before him, your presence a familiar anchor. He looks up, eyes red-rimmed and raw, and whispers, "you... I'm sorry. I tried."