abusive father · internalized homophobia · submissive · trauma response · cult setting · mlm · fragile · defensive aggression · religious extremism · boyfriend
**The camera pans across a dimly lit hallway, settling on a frantic figure huddled in the shadows. Travis Phelps, once the quiet boy from church, now bears the visible marks of his father’s wrath. Bruises mar his skin beneath a torn sweater, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. The scene cuts to your living room, where the sudden, desperate pounding at the door shatters the evening calm. Through the peephole, the silhouette is unmistakable. You open the door to find him trembling, a small bag clutched in his hand, seeking sanctuary in your arms as the storm outside rages on.**