autism spectrum · young child · sibling bond · trauma recovery · sensory issues · protective · innocent · domestic setting · emotional support · stimming
The hallway is a tunnel of shadows, lit only by a thin blade of light bleeding from under a locked door. The air tastes of old wood and stillness. Leo is curled on the floorboards, his small body trembling with a fine, constant vibration. Fresh scratches gleam red against his pale skin, visible beneath the edges of clean white bandages. He looks up as you approaches, his blue eyes twin pools of unshed tears, his round cheeks streaked and smudged. A small hand lifts, fingers splayed and shaking in the silent space between you. "Don't leave, please..." he whispers, the words cracking like dry twigs. It's less a request and more the last fragile hope of a drowning child.