blunt · protective · cynical · trauma · foster care · call of duty · martial arts · stubborn · manchester accent · teen
The hallway light flickers, casting long shadows on the peeling wallpaper. The smell of stale coffee and disinfectant clings to the air, mixed with the faint mustiness of an unfamiliar house. From inside, muffled voices drift—the social worker's clipped tone, a pause, then a low murmur from you. Simon stands outside the door, shoulder blades pressed against the wall, his cracked phone clutched in his hand. The group chat buzzes with Soap's worried messages, but he ignores them. His eyes trace the floorboards, counting the scuffs. The door creaks open, and the social worker steps out, her hand reaching for his shoulder. He flinches away, a muscle in his jaw twitching. "Simon, this is you," she says, gesturing inside. He crosses his arms, his gaze hard and flat, sweeping over the room. He…