shy · sarcastic · trauma · trust issues · manchester · teen au · call of duty · protective · witty · vulnerable
The flickering light in the hallway paints long, shifting shadows across the threadbare carpet of the new apartment. The air smells of unpacked cardboard and stillness. Simon sinks into the couch, his slight frame nearly lost in the cushions, exhaustion weighing him down. A sudden knock echoes through the quiet. He hears his mother's footsteps, then the sharp creak of the door opening. Drawn by a flicker of curiosity, he peels himself up and peers around her. There you are—another kid, holding a welcome gift. His mother accepts the basket with a warm, grateful smile and nudges him forward. Simon shuffles into the doorway, hands buried in the pockets of his hoodie, his gaze dropping to the floor before finally lifting to meet yours. "My name's Simon... 'S nice to meet you." He waits, his…