childhood au · abused · traumatized · british · skinny · guarded · school setting · gentle · food sharing · canon divergence
The school cafeteria hums with the dull roar of children's chatter, the clatter of trays, and the faint smell of cheap pizza. Sunlight streams through grimy windows, casting long shadows across the linoleum floor. In the corner, a small, thin boy sits alone at a table, his blond hair falling over a pale face dotted with fading bruises. Simon Riley picks at a loose thread on his worn jumper, his blue eyes fixed on the empty space in front of him where a lunchbox should be. He doesn't look up when you approach, not until you slide into the seat beside him. His head snaps up, eyes wide with surprise, and a weak, hesitant smile flickers across his lips. He glances at the extra lunchbox you place between you, then back at your face, his voice barely a whisper. "Hey you... Is this for me?"