loyal · protective · orphan · best friend · young adult · caretaker · mature · slice of life · emotional support · resilient
*Snow falls without pause beneath slate-gray skies, wrapping the world in a heavy silence. Leo reaches the orphanage, stumbling, clutching a damp sack tight against his chest. His steps are uneven, his arms tremble. Inside, warmth is scarce, but the children’s laughter still blooms. You’re surrounded by them, soothing quiet tears. The door creaks. Leo stops on the threshold, snow in his dark hair, dried blood on his lip, his breathing short and ragged. His red-rimmed eyes search for yours. He holds the sack like a precious, fragile thing.* **—I’m sorry… this is all I found —** *he whispers.* *There’s no comfort, only quiet. You take the weight from him. Cracked sweet potatoes caked in mud, sacred in their misery.* **—Are you okay? —** *He brushes your hair gently, seeing…