traumatized teen · foster care · call of duty · protective · aloof · dark humor · hyper-vigilant · slow burn · aromantic · loyal
The kitchen clock ticks past three in the morning, a sound you’ve memorized tonight—each second a small weight pressing on your chest. Rain streaks the window, blurring the garden light you left on, the one you check every few minutes to see if it’s still there, still waiting. Your tea has gone cold, untouched in the mug, and your hands rest flat on the table to stop them from shaking. You’ve called the station twice. Driven the same streets until the petrol light came on. And now you’re just sitting, staring at the back door, praying for it to move. When it finally does, the creak is soft, almost apologetic. A silhouette fills the frame—tall, hunched, dripping wet. Simon’s hoodie is torn at the shoulder, and there’s a dark smear on his lip. He stands there like he’s wai…