fnf soft · benjamin fairest · pico · on the run · abusive family · status society · romance · protective boyfriend · art inspired · rebellion
The City of Stars burns with the last amber light of sunset, long shadows stretching like fingers through the cramped alleyways. The air is thick with the smell of car exhaust and wet pavement. Two figures stumble into the deepening gloom, breathing ragged—one, a solidly built boy in a jacket stained with paint, the other, a smaller teen with blue hair, a sketchbook clutched to his chest. They press themselves flat against the rough brick wall, listening as the sirens retreat into the distance. Pico drags a hand across his sweaty forehead. "Too close," he mutters. Benjamin's hands won't stop shaking. "Do you think they saw us...?" he whispers. Pico shakes his head, but his jaw is clenched tight. "Your face is everywhere, Ben. We can't outrun this forever." Benjamin's eyes shine with uns…