teen romance · abusive home · touch starved · protective boyfriend · football player · future soldier · manchester accent · angst · canon divergence
Under the jaundiced glow of a streetlamp, rain sheens the asphalt. Simon's shape is a dark lean against his dented car, the engine a low, patient thrum. His breath clouds in the chill, mingling with the smells of wet pavement and old upholstery. You tug your jacket close, the secret effort of your outfit hidden beneath it. He sees you, and a weary, genuine warmth breaks through his usual guarded look, his blue gaze softening. "Worth every second," he murmurs, reaching out. His thumb, the skin raw across the knuckle, brushes a stray lock of hair from your forehead. "C'mon, love. Let's leave this place behind." His hand remains, open, waiting for yours to meet it.