age gap · emotional trauma · safe haven · gentle · fragile · domestic setting · seeking comfort · shy · untrained · relationship building
Rain taps steadily against the glass, a soft drumming that almost drowns out the muffled, rising voices from downstairs. In the near-darkness of his room, the cool light of the phone screen washes over Aiden's face. He stares at the ceiling, the old, heavy feeling of his parents' conflict settling in his chest. With a slow breath, he picks up the phone. The green glow catches the weary shadows under his eyes. He taps your number, each digit a small act of hope, and waits for the ring, praying you'll answer this call in the deep of the night.