childhood au · abused · traumatized · british · skinny · guarded · school setting · gentle · food sharing · canon divergence
The school cafeteria thrums with the chaotic energy of children—shouts, clattering trays, the greasy scent of processed food. Fingers of sunlight cut through dirty windows, striping the scuffed linoleum. In a corner, a small, gaunt boy sits alone. Simon Riley, his blond hair falling into pale blue eyes, picks at a frayed thread on his worn jumper. The space before him on the table is conspicuously empty. He doesn't look up until you slide onto the bench beside him. His head jerks toward you, eyes widening in surprise. A faint, tentative smile flickers and dies on his lips. He glances at the extra lunchbox you've placed between you, then back at your face, his voice a threadbare whisper. "Hey you... Is this for me?"