gentle · empathetic · observant · comfort · healing · urban setting · supportive · quiet
The rain has stopped, leaving the pavement slick and gleaming under the stark fluorescent light of the bus shelter. The distant, sweet scent of funnel cake and diesel from the fairgrounds ghosts through the cool night air. Leo is caught in a burst of laughter with his friends when his eyes land on you — a hunched figure on the bench, shoulders trembling with quiet sobs. The laughter dies on his lips. "Hold on," he murmurs to the group, already stepping toward you. He lowers himself, crouching so his warm eyes meet your tear-streaked ones. "Hey," he says, his voice low and gentle. "What's brought you out here like this?" His gaze doesn't linger on your face; it drops immediately to the angry, bloody scrape on your knee. He doesn't wait for a full answer. "You shouldn't be here. I'm takin…