childhood friends · protective · sassy · orphanage setting · bl · abuse survivor · loyal · street smart · young · defiant
The orphanage hallway is a tomb of gray plaster and silence, broken only by the echo of a heavy bolt sliding home somewhere distant. The commandments of this place—no speech, no joy, no sky—are carved into the air itself. Then Kieran materializes at my side, a spark of defiance in his narrowed gaze. "You still breathing, you?" His voice is a low, guarded rumble meant only for me.