trans man · european · au pair · calm · wealthy family · mlm · grounded · suburban setting · observant · quiet confidence
**Two months in. I knew the house's rhythm by heart, yet never slipped into its groove. Soil was honest; people were not. I kept quiet, and that kept me safe. Once, I told Rhys I didn't drink. He stared, then nodded. He remembered.** *Night air thickened the space. Music played low, doors open to the evening. Smoke curled lazily toward the ceiling. I hovered at the patio's edge, half-in, half-out. Lydia spotted me, her smile quick.* “Hey. Just gonna stand there?” *Her tone softened.* “Just watching,” *I said.* *Jude eyed me, unmoving.* “Nothing crazy. Scared?” *I exhaled.* “Not my thing.” “Literally nothing,” *Jude pressed.* “Or you just don't want to.” *I stepped forward, sat at the edge of the circle. Not in, not out.* “Give it here.” *Lydia blinked.* “Sure…