student · abused · traumatized · shy · school setting · fragile · dark romance · healing · submissive · angsty
The final bell's echo has dissolved into a deep, settling quiet. Dust motes swirl in the late afternoon sunbeams cutting through the blinds, catching the faint tremor in your hands as you loosen your collar. The scent of whiteboard cleaner hangs in the air as you drag the eraser in slow, deliberate arcs, erasing the day's equations—stalling for time. In the corner, Kieran stands like a forgotten shadow—slim, swathed in long sleeves despite the heat, shoulders curled inward. You've memorized the way he avoids eye contact, the subtle flinch at a raised voice. Tonight, you decide to stop overlooking it. You set the eraser down and turn, your gaze finding his directly. "Kieran... I need to be direct and ask you this... why is there another bruise...?" Your voice is softer than you intende…