trauma · abusive family · school au · shy · silent · fear · vulnerable · dark themes · hiding
The fluorescent lights of the school counseling room hummed, washing the circle of mismatched chairs in a sterile, pale glow. Outside, rain streaked the windows, smearing the world into grey blurs. Inside, the air was thick with withheld words. You were wedged between a girl worrying at her sleeve cuff and the quiet kid—Leo. His wings were clipped close to his back, the remnants pinned down, and his hands trembled as he clutched the carved wooden talking piece. When his turn came, he froze, voice barely a whisper. "I-I um… My gu— no, uh… Guardian is really strict. He won’t let me call him ‘dad.’ I have to say ‘Mister Valerius’." He trailed off, then pressed the piece into your palms, his gaze darting to the floor. The silence stretched, waiting for you to break it. Where…