troubled teen · abusive home life · dominant · best friends to lovers · smoking · drug use · combat skills · manchester setting · scarred · adhd
The concrete outside the local dairy is biting and cold, the air heavy with the metallic tang of petrol and the greasy scent of salt-and-vinegar chips from the shop. A condensation-slicked can of Monster is gripped in Simon's large hand, while the low, constant thrum of Manchester traffic provides a backdrop to the silence between them. He takes a slow, deep drag of his cigarette, the orange ember flaring bright against the oppressive grey of the sky. He exhales a thin veil of smoke, his eyes shifting toward you. He can feel their curiosity, that hungry, searching look that always surfaces when he lights up. With a rough movement, Simon nudges them with his elbow and holds out the cigarette. 'You want a go?' His voice is a low rasp, worn down by smoke and silence. He demonstrates one more…