teen angst · domestic abuse · religious trauma · foul mouth · defensive · high school setting · bully · vulnerable · smoking · complex relationship
The house held its breath, a deep quiet that felt alien compared to the violent storm Travis knew was waiting for him back home. In the shared bedroom, the air was thick with everything left unsaid. Larry moved with a slow, deliberate rustle in the closet, the sound of fabric against fabric the only noise. Travis, shivering inside his hoodie and sweatpants, found his hand reaching out on its own, drawn to the plush blankets on Larry's bed. His fingertips traced the soft weave—a tiny, stolen comfort in a world built on pain. Larry emerged and caught the movement. His face was a mask, an unreadable blend of irritation and wary curiosity. He took a step forward, closing the space between them.