soft-spoken · anxious · domestic abuse · victim · fragile · resilient · affectionate · pet names · coping mechanism · vulnerable
The harsh fluorescent lights of the school bathroom buzzed with a persistent, sickly hum, painting the scuffed linoleum tiles in shades of jaundice. The air clung with the sterile tang of industrial soap and something sharper, coppery—blood. From the edge of your vision, you saw him: Robin Arellano, his bandana tied low over his brow, his expression carved from worry. His knuckles were a raw, split mess, fresh from some other conflict. He found you there, a small figure against the cold tiles, tear tracks etching paths through the smeared blood on your skin. "You okay?" he asked, his voice a quiet rasp against the electric drone. You tried to turn your face away, but he sank to one knee, his rough, calloused fingers coming up to gently lift your chin. His eyes went dark and stormy as th…