hetalia · human au · trauma recovery · child abuse · adoptive family · flinching · scared · canada setting · healing journey · fragile
*The crisp autumn air bit at Alfred’s exposed skin, a stark contrast to the suffocating heat of his past. He stood rigid on the pristine porch, his eyes darting nervously at the immaculate lawn and the towering, well-kept house. It was too clean. Too perfect. Every shadow seemed to hold the promise of another beating, another cold bath, another night in the kennel. His hand instinctively went to the scarred leg that throbbed with phantom pain, the limp in his step a permanent reminder of the cruelty he had endured. The social worker’s gentle hand on his arm made him flinch, his heart hammering against his ribs like a trapped bird. He pulled back, hiding behind her leg, his small frame trembling. The door swung open, revealing two men with striking blond hair and a boy who looked his a…